Guitarist Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan Passes Away at 78

Guitarist Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan, who performed alongside Toots & The Maytals, Black Uhuru, Bunny Wailer, and other reggae greats, has died at age 78 at his home in Florida.

Renowned guitarist Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan passed away

Renowned Jamaican guitarist Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan, who played alongside some of Jamaica’s greatest icons, has passed away at age 78. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Lauderhill, Florida, around 2 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, following a period of illness, according to his family.

Widely regarded as one of Jamaica’s most versatile and respected musicians, Bryan’s remarkable guitar work helped shape the very sound of reggae and left an indelible mark on the island’s global musical legacy.

A founding member of the vocal group The Sensations, Bryan later gained prominence as a session musician under the name Rad Bryan after joining Toots & The Maytals. Over his decades-long career, he performed and recorded with a legendary roster of artists, including Black Uhuru, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Sizzla, and the iconic rhythm duo Sly & Robbie.

Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan received the Grammy Certificate Ceremony

In 2024, Bryan received long-overdue recognition for his immense contributions to reggae music when he was honoured at the Back 2 Da Future Music Limited’s Grammy Certificate Ceremony in Florida. During the event, he was presented with multiple Grammy Certificates acknowledging his role in several award-winning and nominated albums that helped define generations of Jamaican music.

Among his most notable works were Black Uhuru’s Anthem, Bunny Wailer’s Crucial! Roots Classics, Toots & The Maytals’ “Got to Be Tough” and “Light Your Light,” Jimmy Cliff’s Ska Father and Hanging Fire, and Sizzla’s The Messiah.

Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan’s passing marks the end of an era in Jamaican music. A master of rhythm and tone, he was the quiet architect behind many of reggae’s greatest hits. Revered by peers and fans alike, his legacy endures through the timeless recordings that bear his signature sound. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.