Soca Legend Arrow has died.

Internationally acclaimed soca artiste Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell has died, two days after returning home from Antigua where he had been flown for medical treatment. The 60-year-old passed away this morning. Arrow had been battling health problems for some time. He had been diagnosed with cerebral cancer in early 2009 and underwent treatment for that in his homeland and in Miami. And in recent months, he has not been in the best of health.

Last Tuesday, Arrow was airlifted to the Mount St John’s Medical Centre in Antigua to receive treatment for pneumonia. There were reports earlier this week that he had been improving and he returned to Montserrat on Monday. A statement from the family thanked the medical teams, friends and family who gave their support during his period of illness.

“His death is a great loss to the family, his native land of Montserrat and the music world,” said his brother, Justin “Hero” Cassell, another talented vocalist and songwriter, who worked with Arrow during his peak years. The family said the announcement on funeral arrangements will be made at a later date.

Arrow emerged on the calypso scene in 1967 when he took the Junior Monarch title in Montserrat. He went on to win the calypso monarch competition four times and in the 1970s began to focus on a recording and touring career, setting up his own Arrow label. He shot to international fame with ‘Hot, Hot, Hot’, which became his biggest selling soca hit of all time. The song was adopted as the theme song of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

Arrow recorded no less than 22 studio albums with other notable hits including ‘Long Time’, ‘Dancing Mood’ and ‘Groove Master’. He performed at concerts, music festivals and gala events across the globe.