Roy Dayes aka Kenneth Culture, one of the original members of the Jamaican roots reggae group Culture, has flown to Zion where he joins Joseph Hill, the charismatic leader of the group, who died in 2006. No details about the cause of Dayes’ death are known.

In 1976, Kingston-born Roy Dayes teamed up with Joseph Hill and his cousin Albert Walker to form the group Culture, which was initially called the African Disciples. Dayes also went by the name Kenneth Paley, which is credited on the Culture albums released through Virgin Records.

After successfully auditioning for producer Joe Gibbs and studio engineer Errol Thompson, known as the Mighty Two, the trio recorded a string of singles, beginning with See Dem a Come and featuring Two Sevens Clash, many of which appeared on their iconic debut album Two Sevens Clash. This track, which foretold an apocalypse on 7 July 1977, had such a profound impact that many in Kingston chose to stay indoors on that date, anxious that the prediction could materialize. A second album produced by Gibbs, titled Baldhead Bridge, was released in 1978, by which point the group had transitioned to working with producer Sonia Pottinger as the group had entered into a long-running conflict with Gibbs regarding royalties from their first album.

By 1981, the famous trio parted ways, with Dayes recording several solo tracks. However, in 1986, the original members reunited to produce the albums Culture in Culture and Culture At Work. The 1990s saw the release of several albums on Shanachie Records and Ras Records, often in collaboration with Sly and Robbie. Dayes departed from the group around 1994 and pursued a solo career under the name Kenneth Culture. Dayes will always be celebrated for his contributions to many timeless Culture classics, along with songs from his self-produced released album, Still Have Got Love.

Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. R.I.E.P.