Winston Riley Dead: Influential Reggae Producer Dies From Gunshot Wounds at 65

Acclaimed reggae producer Winston Riley died Sunday, Jan. 22, after succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds from a November incident at his Kingston Jamaica home, Billboard reports. Riley had been comatose in the months since the shooting, according to his son Kurt.

Riley was the target of several unexplained acts of violence in the months prior to the deadly shooting, having been shot in August and stabbed in September. Authorities never publicly announced any link between these violent occurences.

Riley rose to prominence in the 1960s after forming the vocal group the Techniques along with Keith "Slim" Smith, Franklin White and Frederick Waite. The Techniques found success in the late 1960s with hits like 'Queen Majesty' and 'You Don't Care.'

He left the group the following year to found the Techniques record label, where he began a long career as a producer. Several years later, in 1973 he would create the legendary Stalag 17 rhythm, which would go on to serve as the backing track to an estimated 400 songs.

Listen to 'Queen Majesty'

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