The evening of March 15, 2010 remains etched in the memory of attorney Milton Samuda as a landmark moment in music history. At New York’s prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Jamaican music icon James “Jimmy Cliff” Chambers delivered an unforgettable performance during his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, joining an elite circle of reggae pioneers that until then only included the posthumously honored Bob Marley (1994).
The glittering ballroom reverberated with energy as the legendary performer masterfully rendered timeless classics including ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want,’ ‘Many Rivers to Cross,’ and ‘The Harder They Come.’ Samuda, then serving as Jamaica Chamber of Commerce president and attending as Cliff’s personal guest alongside his brother Christopher, described the musician as “the Emperor of the night, the indisputable sovereign of entertainers as he ruled our hearts and chambers of emotions.”
The historic ceremony gained additional significance through Cliff’s deeply emotional acceptance speech following introductory remarks by his close friend and fellow musician Wyclef Jean. The 2010 induction class notably included international music giants ABBA, Genesis, The Stooges, and The Hollies, though Cliff’s recognition held particular cultural importance as only the second reggae artiste to receive this honor.
Established on April 20, 1983, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation continues its tradition of celebrating music’s most influential performers, with Cliff’s induction representing both a personal achievement and a milestone for Caribbean music’s global recognition.