The Blake Brothers, from left: Monty, Tyrone and Winston Blake of Merritone fame hang out with Christine Wood of Wray & Nephew at Waterfalls for the 2009 launch of the Merritone Reunion Weekend. - Contributed

Tyrone Blake, one of the four Blake brothers of Merritone Music fame, died yesterday along Kensington Crescent, St Andrew. He is the third of the quartet, after Trevor and Winston, with Monty Blake the youngest.

Merritone is the oldest continuously active sound system in Jamaica, having been started by Val Blake in St Thomas. Merritone celebrated its 61st anniversary and the 21st anniversary of their annual Merritone Family Reunion last October. Tyrone would have been 70 years old this year.

Monty Blake told THE STAR that Tyrone passed away in the company of himself and Winston, shortly after speaking to Trevor on the telephone. They were about to attend a brunch and "as we got there he felt that he was not feeling well, and then he said he wanted to sit in the car a bit."

Tyrone also complained of cold sweats and a severe headache.

"In the space of talking to you now he was gone. The good thing is that he died with us - Winston, myself and some good friends," Monty said. Tyrone did not respond to smelling salts and paramedics were early on the scene, as was a personal doctor. Early indications are that an aneurysm could have been the immediate cause of death.

"It is a shock. It nuh reach mi yet. I have a delayed reaction," Monty said.

Last November, it was discovered that Tyrone had a heart condition, when he as hospitalised after he and Winston were in a motor vehicle accident. Monty said that Tyrone never recovered fully from the injuries.

Despite Trevor not being hands on behind the Merritone console, Monty pointed out that "he did not actually play the music, but he knew it a lot". And from a well-known quartet, Monty gives his older brother - whose nickname is 'Sporty' - a certain distinction.

"Tyrone is probably the most popular of us," Monty said.