Glenroy Anthony Michael Archangelo Smith, also known as Ernie Smith, born on May 1, 1945, in Kingston, Jamaica, was a reggae singer known for his deep baritone voice. A guitarist from an early life, he entered the music scene with uncharted singles before breaking through with “Bend Down” and later chart‑topper “Pitta Patta”. He won the Yamaha Music Festival in 1972 and earned the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service in 1973. His 1974 album Life is Just For Living was released through Trojan Records. In 1976, he moved to Toronto after political threats, later settling in Miami, where he collaborated with Cedella Booker and wrote for the Marcus Garvey musical. Returning to Jamaica after Hurricane Gilbert, he released Dancehall Ernie Cleans It Up (1996). In 2008, Smith released the album Country Mile, preceded by the singles "That's the Kind of People We Are", a duet with Pluto Shervington, and "You Are a Lion", featuring Ron Muschette. He continued performing until his death on April 16, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
