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'I Can See Clearly Now' singer Johnny Nash dies aged 80

Watch: Remembering Johnny Nash and his timeless hit I Can See Clearly Now

American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash has died aged 80.

The pop and reggae star was best known for his hit I Can See Clearly Now, which is still often used in advertising and TV and movie soundtracks today.

Nash died of natural causes at home in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday 6 September, his son said.

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970:  Photo of Johnny Nash  Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Johnny Nash has died aged 80. (Getty Images)

John Nash III told website TMZ: "He was a wonderful father and family man. He loved people and the world. He will be missed by his community.

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"Family was his everything."

I Can See Clearly Now was originally released in 1972, selling more than a million copies and staying at No 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks.

Nash was born in Houston in 1940 and began his musical career in 1953, singing covers of R&B hits on a local TV variety show.

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970:  Photo of Johnny Nash  Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Johnny Nash was a pioneer of reggae music in the US. (Getty Images)

He released his debut single A Teenager Sings The Blues in 1957 after signing a record deal with ABC-Paramount.

In 1965 he moved to Jamaica, where he was heavily influenced by reggae and the work of Bob Marley.

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Nash became one of the pioneers of reggae music on the US music scene and had hits with his version of Marley's Stir It Up and There Are More Questions Than Answers.

Johnny Nash recording at Whitfield Street Studios, London 01/01/1975 (Photo by Tom Sheehan/Sony Music Archive via Getty Images)
Johnny Nash's hit I Can See Clearly Now is still commonly heard today. (Getty Images)

His final studio album Here Again was released in 1986.

Nash was married three times and had two children, son John and daughter Monica.