Jamaica's well-known musician, band leader and recording artist Byron Lee Sr., who performed many times in Bermuda, has died at the age of 73 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Mr. Lee succumbed to bladder cancer yesterday morning at the University Hospital of the West Indies and passed away surrounded by family and close friends.

"He fought a very brave battle with cancer, and will be remembered not only as an excellent musician but also as a very kind, generous, humble and talented man who was always working to use music to unite persons of all ages, races, and people from all walks of life," a Jamaica Carnival spokesperson said.

Mr. Lee and his band, The Dragonaires, visited Bermuda more than 17 times to give concerts, thanks to promoter Eddy DeMello, who first introduced him to local audiences. Their last appearance here was in August 2007 when they gave two concerts, one at Tiger Bay, St. George's, which Mr. Lee always said was "the pearl of venues" because of its good security and sound systems, and lack of drugs and violence. The other was at the Fairmont Southampton Resort when Mr. Lee gave his services for free in aid of the Bermuda Diabetic Association because he, too, was a diabetic.

Speaking from Burlington, Massachusetts, where he is currently undergoing medical treatment, Mr. DeMello said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of his long-time friend.

"Byron not only loved Bermuda but so did the boys in his band. He told me many times that of all the other islands, and wherever else they performed, he and the boys loved Bermuda, and the way they were treated here, the most. I always gave them the best, and saw that they were well looked after. I am just sorry that I won't be able to attend his funeral."

The veteran band leader and his group performed together for over 50 years, during which time they established many milestones, and became international icons. They were dedicated to promoting Jamaican music abroad, and were the first to introduce ska to New York, and carnival to Jamaica. Mr. Lee was proud to say that his was the only band which had been through five musical evolutions: ska, rock steady, reggae, dance hall, and latterly the cross-fertilisation of hip-hop and dance hall.

Twice honoured by the Jamaican Government with its Order of Distinction — an honour shared by the late Bob Marley — as well as the Silver Musgrave Medal for his promotion of Caribbean music, Mr. Lee was also honoured by UNICEF for the same reason.

His final award came in a special ceremony last Sunday at the hospital where he later died when the Order of Distinction was conferred upon him for outstanding services to the music industry.

Among the many highlights in the career of Mr. Lee and The Dragonaires was the performance of two pieces on the sound track of the first Bond film, 'Dr. No', in 1962. 'Jamaica Jump-Up' was composed by Mr. Lee and featured him on bass, while his singer and band played 'Three Blind Mice'. The resultant success led the group to turn professional.

'Tiny Winey' was another great hit forever associated with the group.

Prolific recording artists, the Dragonaires first signed with the West Indies Recording Limited label owned by then-future Prime Minister Edward Seaga. Mr. Lee bought the label in 1964, and his Kingston studio would later attract many top musicians, including The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. In 2007, the band celebrated its golden anniversary with special commemorative albums.

During an interview with The Royal Gazette last year, Mr. Lee, who had earlier undergone cancer treatment in Miami, Florida, vowed never to retire, saying music was "like a vitamin" to him, and there was no life without it.

Of the Island he loved the most, Mr. Lee said: "For me not to come back to Bermuda would put me back in bed."

Sadly, he is now at rest permanently.

Mr. Lee is survived by his widow Sheila, sons Byron Jr., Edward John, daughters Deanna, Judith, Julianne and Danielle, and six grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.