William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke, lead singer of reggae band Third World, dies of leukemia at 65
KINGSTON, Jamaica – William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke, the husky-voiced singer of reggae band Third World, has died of leukemia at the age of 65.
Close friend and former bandmate Colin Leslie says the singer died Sunday at his home in Orlando, Florida. He was released last week from a hospital after cancer treatment.
Clarke worked with band Inner Circle and top reggae producer Lee “Scratch” Perry in Jamaica before joining Third World in 1976.
The group was signed to Island Records and had hits in U.K. and U.S. charts including “Now That We Found Love,” ”Always Around” and “Reggae Ambassador.” Stevie Wonder wrote and produced the band’s 1982 song “Try Jah Love.”
Drummer Willie Stewart said Monday that the fun-loving Clarke “always had a joke.”
He is survived his wife and eight children.
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