RumoursJolt Holt BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Observer reporter ,Wednesday, September 10, 2014 VETERAN singer John Holt is dismissing rumours that he is suffering from a life threatening illness. Speaking from his home in London, the 69-year-old artiste told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that he has heard several stories regarding his health. “My health is fine. I’m eating, drinking, laughing,” said Holt, whose many hits include Stick by Me and Only a Smile. He admitted, however, that he will be absent from the stage for a while. “I may take a couple of weeks … into months. I’ll be relaxing and chilling a little. But I’ll be back,” he said. On the weekend, social media was abuzz with rumours that Holt had collapsed and died in London. “It seems somebody don’t like me in this world for that person to start that rumour,” he said. “It was heart-rending … I couldn’t take it.” Holt is one of reggae’s most influential singers. He had a remarkable career with the Paragons during the rocksteady era of the late-1960s. His solo career is just as impressive. He recorded hits for producers Clement Dodd, Bunny Lee and Joseph Hoo Kim in the 1970s as well as the classic album 1000 Volts of Holt, a big seller in the United Kingdom. He was awarded the Order of Distinction, Jamaica’s fifth highest honour, in 2004.