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Who are Lee 'Scratch' Perry's children? Bob Marley's producer dies at 85

Legendary Jamaican record producer and singer Lee 'Scratch' Perry breathed his last at Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Jamaica

Reggae and dub icon Lee "Scratch" Perry died on Sunday, August 29. The legendary Jamaican record producer and singer breathed his last at Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Jamaica. He was 85. The singer died due to an unspecified illness, as reported by The Guardian. The late Grammy-winning crooner, whose real name is Rainford Hugh Perry OD, is now survived by his wife and children.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid an emotional tribute to Perry on Twitter saying, “Undoubtedly, Lee Scratch Perry will always be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music fraternity. May his soul Rest In Peace.”  Lee "Scratch" Perry was known for revolutionizing reggae with his innovative sounds and experimental production style while also influencing other genres like hip hop, and dance. Speaking of celebrities passing away, we recently lost artists like Brazilian singer MC Kevin, Eric Wagner, trans pop star and producer Sophie, and Metal Church singer Mike Howe.
 
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Lee 'Scratch' Perry's wife and children

Perry was first married to Paulette Perry before they split in the year 1979. The singer-songwriter later got married to a businesswoman named Mireille Campbell-Ruegg. Perry earlier resided in Switzerland with Ruegg and their two children before moving to Jamaica in 2020. He met his second wife in 1989. The singer overall had six children. The other four are identified as Cleopatra Perry, Marsha Perry, Omar Perry, and Marvin (Sean) Perry.  

Speaking of his music career, Perry first started as an assistant at a reggae music label in the 1950s’ before becoming a recording artist with the same label. In his decorated career spanning seven decades, the singer worked with the likes of music legends like Bob Marley and the Beastie Boys. While Marley was known as the face of reggae music, Perry got famous as the soul of the genre.  Speaking in a 1984 interview with NME magazine, he said, "My father worked on the road, my mother in the fields. We were very poor. I went to school… I learned nothing at all. Everything I have learned has come from nature”, as reported by BBC.

‘Warped reggae into mad science’

Tributes for the legendary reggae singer poured in as soon as the news of his death surfaced on the Internet. One user stated, “That sucks, man. I love Lee Perry! Reggae Legend! I got a doc about him on dvd. He did a lot of experimental compilations.” Another shared, “Saw him play up in Humboldt back in the 90s, it was a mind-bending experience. R.I.P. to the legend.” The next one added, “His contribution to music was epic. His breakthrough Dub sounds changed not just reggae but rock music. Lucky to have met him back in my reggae days. RIP.”
 
One person tweeted, “A true, true legend that gave so much to reggae music for over 60 years. The mould was broken when he was made.” Another added, “RIP Scratch Perry, the Black Ark Noah, who warped reggae into mad science, brought the country to Kingston, mountains, earth, & trees reimagined, herb exhaled onto the console to alchemize funky sci-fi dub. Greatest producer of all-time (any genre). Who upset time, space, sound.” One fan said, “Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry has left us and the world of music has lost one if it’s most enigmatic creators; an amazing, incomparable phenomenon who’s sonic sound waves transformed our lives; the ‘Blackboard Jungle’ album alone stands as a beacon of his genius.”