Alvin Campbell.
April 23, 2025
Alvin Campbell, a respected figure in music and the arts, died in Kingston on April 18 at age 69.
His older brother, Frankie Campbell of the Fabulous Five Band, confirmed his passing.
He told the Jamaica Observer that Alvin died in his sleep at home.
Like Frankie, Alvin attended Kingston College (KC), where he was a member of the school’s choir. He later joined the Fab 5 organisation as the band’s road manager.
He wrote Ring Road Jam, the 1986 song that saw Fab 5 transition from easy-listening reggae to soca.
Alvin also co-wrote AJ Brown’s hit song When You Love, and Karen Smith’s Wings of Hope, the official song for Jamaica’s 1992 Olympics campaign.
A graduate of The University of the West Indies, Alvin Campbell worked for many years at Mediamix as a writer/producer/director on shows such as the famed Royal Palm Estate. He also wrote the 1996 pantomime Jangah Rock and produced music videos including Night And Day by Lieutenant Stitchie.
At the time of his death, Alvin was Fab 5’s administrative and public relations manager.
Frankie Campbell shared that he had been writing a book on the band’s 53-year history.
Alvin is also survived by his sister Pauline and brother Noel.
— Howard Campbell