Noel ‘King Sporty’ Williams, who co-wrote the song Buffalo Soldier with Bob Marley, died Monday in Miami at age 71.
Abdul Muhsin, his friend of 37 years, told the OBSERVER ONLINE that Sporty died at the University of Miami Hospital at 8:15 pm.
No cause of death has been given.
Born in Portland, Sporty was a pioneer of the Miami reggae scene, having lived in South Florida since the early 1960s.
Sporty first recorded Buffalo Soldier in the late 1970s for his Konduko label. Marley’s version became popular after his death in 1981.
Sporty started his career in the 1960s as a deejay at Studio One, recording a number of hit songs for producer Clement Dodd’s label.
His best known song was the self-produced ballad, Thinking of You, which was originally done by the Blues Busters.
Sporty was married for many years to American soul singer Betty Wright. He is survived by her and several children.
By Howard Campbell—
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