France, Nov. 24 -- The family announced the death in a post on Cliff's official Instagram account, saying he "has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia."

"I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him," said the statement, signed by his wife Latifa Chambers and their children Lilty and Aken.

"To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career."

Over four decades Cliff wrote and sang songs that fused reggae with his sensibilities for folk, soul, rhythm and blues, ska and rock music, and addressed issues like politics, poverty, injustice and war protest.

Throughout his career, this globetrotting artist culti...