The singer and producer Winston Riley died at the University Hospital of the West Indies on 19 January 2012. He had been in a coma since November 2011, after being shot and hit in the head.
At the helm of his Techniques label, Winston Riley left his mark on his era. Born in Kingston in 1946, he founded the group The Techniques with Slim Smith. They recorded for Byron Lee at Federal Studios before heading to Treasure Isle. After their split with Duke Reid, Winston Riley went into production. He produced the group, but also the young Johnny Osbourne, who gave the Techniques label its first hit.
It was above all Dave & Ansel Collins' Double Barrel that brought him fame. Recognition came in 1974, when he produced the Stalag, one of the most famous riddims ever to come out of Jamaica. Over the decade he also produced Alton Ellis, Jimmy Riley, Horace Andy, Pat Kelly, and General Echo's album "The Slackest" in 1979.
In the 1980s he also launched the career of Sister Nancy, and worked with Lone Ranger, Frankie Paul, Cutty Ranks and Tristan Palmer. When Jammy released his Sleng Teng, Winston Riley hit back with Tenor Saw's Ring The Alarm, a new variation on his Stalag. Later, Supercat, Michael Prophet, Courtney Melody and Admiral Tibet would all benefit from his productions.
According to the Jamaican police, Winston Riley had suffered other attacks last year. The daily Jamaica Gleaner notes that he had already been shot at last summer, before being stabbed five times in September 2011.