Jamaican music icon, “Stranger Cole” has died

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica’s music fraternity is in mourning today over the passing of one of its icon, Wilburn Theodore Cole, popularly known by his stage name, “Stranger Cole” (1942–2026).

His passing has been confirmed by Culture Minister Olivia Grange in a post on her Facebook page last night. For more than six decades, Stranger Cole helped shape the sound and evolution of Jamaican music from Ska through Rocksteady to Reggae. 

His timeless hits include Bangarang, Rough and Tough, When You Call My Name, Just Like a River and Run Joe. Bangarang is in fact, widely regarded as one of the earliest recordings of the Reggae genre. 

In her post, Grange extended condolences to his family and friends and the entire music fraternity as well as his fans in Jamaica and throughout the world. “Walk Good Stranger. Jah Love,” she said in ending her post. 

Titan of Jamaican music 

Throughout his career, he worked with a who’s who of producers, including Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, Prince Buster, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Bunny Lee. His distinct vocal delivery and songwriting have inspired countless generations of dancehall and reggae artists. 

Stranger Cole was a foundational titan of Jamaican music who shaped the eras of ska, rocksteady, and reggae. Growing up in Trench Town and Denham Town, his early talent caught the ear of legendary producers, taking him from local stages to an enduring international legacy. 

Throughout his career, he worked with a who’s who of producers, including Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, Prince Buster, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Bunny Lee. His distinct vocal delivery and songwriting have inspired countless generations of dancehall and reggae artists. 

Encouraged by his brother Leroy “Cuttings” Cole, an influential disc jockey for Duke Reid, he auditioned for the producer in 1962. This launched a string of number-one hits, including “Rough and Tough” and “When I Call Your Name” (a duet with Patsy Todd). 

Because he initially struggled with stage shyness, Stranger Cole frequently recorded duets with vocalists like Todd, Ken Boothe, and Hortense Ellis. His keen ear led him to discover Ken Boothe, whom he famously brought to Studio One to record “World’s Fair”in 1964.]

Legacy and Accolades

In 2016, his lifetime of contributions was celebrated in Jamaica when he was awarded an Icon Award by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA). In the early 1970s, Cole emigrated to the U.K. before settling in Toronto, Canada, in 1973. 

He opened the first Caribbean record store in Toronto’s Kensington Market, laying the roots for Caribbean music in North America. Cole continued recording, releasing albums like “Forward in the Land of Sunshine” in 1976 and touring extensively in Europe alongside bands like The Steadytones. He remained active in the global scene well into his later years.