Born in St. James, Jamaica, on July 30, 1944, James Chambers was known
professionally as Jimmy Cliff. A legendary figure in Jamaican music, Jimmy
Cliff's influence on reggae is massive, but extends more widely into more
mainstream pop culture courtesy of his two most famous songs, "Many Rivers to
Cross" and "The Harder They Come" - also the title song of the 1972 cult hit
movie. Still at primary school when he first started writing songs, Jimmy Cliff
was soon entering local talent contests and had his first hit "Hurricane Hattie"
at 14, produced by Leslie Kong. Cliff was to work ...