ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Johnny Nash dies at 80 due to natural causes

Oct 6, 2020, 7:00 PM | Updated: Oct 7, 2020, 1:47 pm

FILE: American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash during his first visit to London for various public appearances, 3rd September 1968. (Photo by Ron Case/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ron Case/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Johnny Nash died Tuesday at the age of 80 surrounded by friends and family at home in Houston. The singer-songwriter behind the million-selling anthem “I Can See Clearly Now” died of natural causes. 

When “I Can See Clearly Now” topped the charts in 1972, Nash was in his early 30s. Nash sold more than 1 million copies of the single, and it made him an international star.

He was the first singer to record in Jamaica for a non-Jamaican song.

Johnny Nash had a special something about him, music critics said. Maybe it was his reggae twist that sent him to the top of the charts for four weeks. 

Nash praised “the vibes of this little island” when speaking of Jamaica, and he was among the first artists to bring reggae to U.S. audiences.

“I Can See Clearly Now” was reportedly written by Nash after cataract surgery. It was meant to be a story of overcoming hard times in the promise of something better to follow. The rock critic Robert Christgau would call the song, which Nash also produced, “2 minutes and 48 seconds of undiluted inspiration.”

After the 1980s Nash became but an anomaly to his fan base. He stopped recording and performing and rarely spoke to the press or anyone in the music industry. 

“I feel that music is universal. Music is for the ears and not the age,” Nash told Cameron Crowe, then writing for Zoo World Magazine, in 1973. “There are some people who say that they hate music. I’ve run into a few, but I’m not sure I believe them.”

That same year, he told Crowe that he anticipated years of hard work: “What I want to do is be a part of this business and to express myself and get some kind of acceptance by making people happy.”

Contributing: Associated Press

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Arts + Entertainment

A Early Childhood Education teacher at Sunshine Academy in Alpine and his younger brother celebrate...

Waverly Golden

Pair of brothers handout painted flower pots for Mother’s Day

A Early Childhood Education teacher at Sunshine Academy in Alpine and his younger brother celebrated Mother's Day at River Meadows Senior Living.

11 months ago

Vatican Museum restorer Alice Baltera works on the bronze Hercules statue, in the Round Hall of the...

Francesco Sportelli, Associated Press

Vatican experts uncovering gilded glory of Hercules statue struck by lightning

Vatican Museum restorers are working to remove centuries of grime from the largest known bronze statue of the ancient world: the gilded Hercules Mastai Righetti.

11 months ago

Hasbro has announced Park City will be featured in an edition of Monopoly.  Photo credit: Justin Su...

Tom Haraldsen

Hasbro to feature Park City in an edition of Monopoly

Hasbro has announced that Park City will be featured in an edition of Monopoly. The Park City version of the popular board is expected out early next year.

11 months ago

Marshall N. White Community Center...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Ogden’s Marshall N. White Community Center to be torn down and rebuilt

The Marshall N. White Community Center, built in 1968, is set to be demolished and rebuilt from the ground up.

11 months ago

Roots High School students and employees at Ken Garff West Valley put together over 300 baskets for...

Waverly Golden

Mother’s Day celebration for over 300 Utah refugees

Roots High School students and employees at Ken Garff West Valley put together over 300 baskets for Utah refugees.

11 months ago

After nearly 45 years at KSL NewsRadio, Doug Wright has announced he will be retiring from his role...

Kevin LaRue, Program Director

KSL’s Doug Wright to host final movie show program, continues with long-time host Andy Farnsworth

After hosting a daily news talk show for more than three decades, Doug Wright stepped back from daily hosting in 2018.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Johnny Nash dies at 80 due to natural causes