R.I.P. Errol 'Barkwood' Brown (1951–2026), co-founder and lead vocalist of Black Roots

Errol was born in Jamaica, but at the age of fourteen, in 1966, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he settled in Bristol and later worked, among other things, as a welder.

Speaking about that period in an interview, he said: "It was a bit strange for me. I was crying that I wanted to go back because it was all dark and I come from the sunshine and it was not what I expected. My mum worked for the BRI and also Wills Tobacco Factory - it was just my mum alone. We couldn't walk on the streets. If we did walk the streets we had to walk about four or five of us down St Pauls and down Governor Road. My mum used to say: "You can't go down there!". So we all stuck together as a unit and that was how we survived."

On Black Roots' Facebook and Instagram pages, the following statement was posted:

Today we say good-bye to Errol 'Barkwood' Brown, foundation member of Black Roots who has passed away. Words cannot explain or describe his contribution to the works of the band. But we will remember him for his lead vocals in classic songs like 'The Father', 'Survival', 'War' and many many more. This is a very sad day for all of us who knew him, worked with him, enjoyed his energy on stage, saw the spirit with which he delivered the message in the songs that he sang and for being such a humble person. You will be missed but you will not be forgotten, not least because your legacy lives on in the music. Our sincerest condolences to the family. This news has been devastating to all of us who knew him, may you rest in eternal peace.