Jimmy Cliff’s journey from a shy country boy to an international star was driven by a deep belief in himself, even when others doubted him. He recalled being laughed at in his early days as he searched Kingston for opportunities, pushing his way onto the Vere Johns Opportunity Show stage and persevering after early failures. As he gained global recognition and success, Cliff said it was his determination, his willingness to seize opportunities, and his unwavering faith in his talent that carried him forward.

Published Monday, November 26, 1973

Jimmy Cliff – unchanged by success

When he made his first uncertain steps into Kingston over 10 years ago, he was just another typical country-come-towner — James Chambers, young, shy, uncertain, hopeful.
The other day, this same young man flew in on one of his frequent visits to his launch pad — as Jimmy Cliff, international singer, songwriter, actor, Officer of the Order of Distinction.
He is a new man now. Gone is the shyness and uncertainty he used to display privately and publicly. Now Jimmy Cliff exudes self-confidence in manner, speech, and action.
It is not a deliberate effort; just something that has developed naturally. And Cliff is aware of it.
“I am definitely more confident as a man now,” he told an interviewer recently. “I think my movie debut has a lot to do with it.”
He is going through a hectic period of his life nowadays. Things are happening fast, adding link after link to the chain of events that began with the international success of The Harder They Come, in which he starred.
The success of 'Harder' has rubbed off on him, bringing many offers for film and stage performances from US and British producers. Jimmy has no intention of accepting any at the moment.
Earlier this year, he took an important step in his development when he left Island Records to sign with Warner Brothers and EMI Records, who now control the sales and distribution of his records in the US and internationally.
Says Jimmy: “This is a big break for me and it will help me in every way, financially and otherwise.”
His first album since the birth of this union, Unlimited, received rave reviews in the US and Britain and is now bubbling on top of the US album charts.
Biggest break
Jimmy’s biggest break recently, however, is the BBC special Jimmy Cliff in Concert, a one-hour 15-minute musical showcase which will be televised during the Christmas season in Europe and will eventually be distributed in the United States.
Nowadays, the 28-year-old singer who hails from St. James spends most of his time in the US, crisscrossing from New York to Los Angeles. His last visit to his homeland was in May, and he tries to come home as often as possible to “remind myself of my roots”. That is what motivates him. And this is one cat that needs all the motivation he can get, because he is extremely ambitious; his present status is not enough for him.
“I want to make myself a very established star on the North American continent, the Far East, Europe …,” he says with determination. A formidable task, but Jimmy Cliff is sure of himself.
“I know I can do it. But I’ll have to fight the barriers, take the opportunities, and believe in myself.”
He has done that for years now; has fought the many barriers and taken the opportunities.
He remembers vividly the early days when he used to walk the city streets searching for an opportunity to do what he thought was his calling and what he strongly believed he could entertain.
“People used to laugh at me. But I have always been a determined person. I believed in myself.”
He went to prove that he was talented at the place where every other boy of his day with similar aspirations went — the Vere Johns Opportunity Show. It was not easy even to talk to the show’s producer.
“I remember pushing and pushing to reach Vere Johns on the stage that first night. When I finally reached, I touched him on his shoes, and he said, ‘What you touch me on my shoes for?’
“I shouted, ‘My name is Jimmy Cliff,’ and the name hit him. He made me sing, and I sang a Fats Domino song.”
That night was failure number one. He failed to win a prize.
Big money
That was in 1962, and he was young and burning with an urge to prove himself. So he went to Majestic Theatre, sang the same Fats Domino number — and won the grand sum of £2 ($4).
It was big money to a youngster who felt he was rich when he had 3d in his pocket. The £2 went into the coffers of a King Street store — for a pair of “shiners” pants.
His first hit record was Hurricane Hattie, done with Beverley Records. Since then, he has not looked back; going to England and making it big with a string of chartbusters that began with Wonderful World, Beautiful People in 1969.
Now he is a big name that has been featured in Time, Newsweek, and lately made the list of the top 100 stars in the Bible of Showbiz, Esquire.
In England, he has a fan club and his own music publishing company called Sunflower, which he manages.
But he has remained almost unchanged by his success and shuns the stereotypical lifestyle of stars. If anything, he has become more vocal and expresses his views with more candour.
Jimmy Cliff speaking on the plight of local artistes: “Local artistes have no one caring for them. That is why the international stars come here and take our music and make it big.”
On local producers: “These people only want to promote themselves. They forget about the artistes as soon as they have milked them. All they are trying to do is rip them off.”
On the local news media: “I think the Jamaican news media should push artistes more to help the sound. Look at the Beatles. Look what the press did for them.”
On marriage: “I plan to get married, but it has to be a Jamaican girl, and she has to be black. Only a Jamaican girl can understand me.”

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