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Musical Youth's lead drummer Frederick Waite Jr has sadly died, as his Pass The Dutchie co-hitmakers led the list of tributes to the late star online.
It is understood that the musician passed away at the age of 55 last month as the official Musical Youth account confirmed the devastating news with a touching tribute to their loyal legion of fans online.
It read: "We are sad to announce the passing of Musical Youth's drummer Frederick Waite Jr.
"Our thoughts go out to him and his family during this sad time. We have lost a musical legend, who inspired many young musicians over the last 40 years.
READ MORE: Olivia Newton-John's husband pays touching tribute to Grease star after tragic death
"Rest in Eternal Peace," which they signed off with a heart emoji.
Shortly after the heartbreaking announcement, fans of the British-Jamaican reggae group flooded to the comments to pass on their condolences to the band online.
One user penned: "R.I.P Frederick. This very first record I ever bought was Pass The Dutchie.
"I was 11 years old & I saved up my 25p a week pocket money my Granddad gave me on a Friday and I went to Rumbelows in Bromsgrove & bought it myself. Thank you for the childhood memories."
Another added: "This is very sad RIP to a great musician from my youth."
A third penned: "Really sad to hear this, you guys were a massive part of my life growing up and have stayed with me. Deepest condolences."
The chart-topping group, hailing from Birmingham, first formed back in 1979 when the fathers of Kelvin and Michael Grant, and Frederick (known fondly as Junior and Patrick Waite put together a band featuring their sons.
They were best known for their number one hit single Pass The Dutchie as well as Youth of Today, Never Gonna Give you Up and a collaboration with Donna Summer on a track titled Unconditional Love.
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As the group grew in popularity, they went on to record hugely two successful albums and even earned a Grammy Award nomination before they disbanded back in 1985.
Plans for the reunion of Musical Youth came to a stand still when Patrick Waite suddenly died in 1993 at the age of 24 after he collapsed at home from a hereditary heart condition.
But in 2001, Dennis Seaton and Michael Grant reformed the group as a duo and planned to go on tour however their travels were cut short due to the devastating terrorist attack of the World Trade centres on September 11 that year.
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