Reggae Legend Alton Ellis Passes Away

by **Nygee** Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:59 pm

Reggae legend Alton Ellis died Friday (October 10) in London. He was 70.

According to Billboard.com, Ellis died peacefully at Hammersmith hospital. He had been hospitalized for several weeks and the family requested further details not be made public.

Ellis was known in the music world as "the Godfather of Rocksteady" and released such hits as "Sunday Coming", "I'm Just A Guy" and "Dance Crasher."

Ellis also wrote the lyrics to the 1962 Pop hit "Duke Of Earl" by Gene Chandler.

Reports suggest that Ellis had lymphatic cancer.