by Dave Rodney

NY: Jamaican reggae icon Bishop Denroy Morgan, 76, has died. The hitmaker who topped the international charts in 1981 with his smash single “I’ll Do Anything for You” died peacefully yesterday in Atlanta after a brief illness, surrounded by close family members.

Morgan was the father of 30 children with over 120 grandchildren, and his musical and spiritual shepherding of his family members led to the creation of the Grammy winning group Morgan Heritage. Three generations of Morgans have produced hit records over the years.

A statement from the family a short while ago read, “It is out of sincere love that we share that our beloved father and patriarch The Honourable Bishop Ras Denroy Morgan has ascended. Daddy has been our light, our source of love and joy throughout all our lives”. The statement continued, “Our family thanks you in advance for your overwhelming love and support, and we ask for your continued prayers as we go through the process. We also ask that you please respect our privacy during this time of healing”.

Denroy Morgan was a bishop at the Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry Church. Morgan was passionate about the legalization of marijuana, and his landmark successful sacramental defense of a marijuana charge in New York City in 2011 was an important turning point that led to the relaxation of marijuana legislation in New York City. Morgan had also been pushing to establish November 2, the coronation day of of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie as a United Nations International Day. Morgan was scheduled to release a new album, Divine Destiny on March 22.