Popular Jamaican mento-reggae singer Stanley Beckford passed away at his Riversdale St. Catherine home this afternoon. Beckford was diagnosed with cancer of the throat last year and had just arrived back home after leaving the hospital.

Beckford, who sang with a mento-style voice, is more popularly known for his band, Stanley and the Turbines when fell ill last year, was faced with a hospital bill of hundreds of thousands and his family asked the public for assistance especially as he has started a 10-day radiotherapy treatment which should also cost a considerable sum.

An orphaned child, Beckford hails from Portland, ended up living in Kingston where he begand singing in church before winning on the Vere Johns radio talent competition where he gained popularity.