Lee was instrumental in launching the careers of singers Max Romeo and Johnny Clarke, as well as putting the music from his hometown of Greenwich Farm on the map.
His Striker label released a number of hit songs including "My Conversation" by The Uniques, "Let The Power Fall on I" by Romeo, "Stick by Me" from John Holt, "Better Must Come" and "Smooth Operator" from Delroy Wilson, "The Gorgon" by Cornel Campbell and "None Shall Escape The Judgement" and "Rock With me Baby" by Johnny Clarke.
Lee was also a pioneer in terms of music distribution in the United Kingdom. His productions saturated that market through deals with Trojan Records and Pama Records, making him a household name in the UK reggae community.
"You can't walk around London and talk about reggae and not hear people talk about Bunny Lee. He was gigantic; the paramount of reggae development in the UK," said Anthony "Chips" Richards, a former marketing executive at Trojan.
Lee was from Greenwich Farm, a fishing community in Kingston that was frequented by artists such as Slim Smith (of The Uniques), Wilson, Holt, Romeo and the Soul Syndicate Band which played on many of his recording sessions.
The flamboyant Lee was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2008 for his contribution to development of the country's music.
He told his story in the book/compact disc, "Reggae Going International 1967-1976: The Bunny 'Striker' Lee Story", and a documentary, "I Am The Gorgon -- Bunny 'Striker' Lee and the Roots of Reggae" which were released in 2015.
Written By Howard Campbell