EDGAR 'BABY G' Gordon, a member of The Flames vocal group that backed singer Alton Ellis on some of his biggest hit songs, has died.

Gordon's son Marlon told The Gleaner that his father died last Thursday from complications arising from diabetes at his home in Jones Town, St Andrew.

He was 70 years old.

Gordon, James Green and Winston Jarrett formed the most famous version of The Flames which emerged from the popular talent show, the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour.

In the early 1960s, they accompanied Ellis on hits like Dancecrasher, Cry Tough, Rocksteady and Girl I've Got a Date, all produced by Arthur 'Duke' Reid for the Treasure Isle label.

The Flames drifted into obscurity in the late 1960s, but they backed Ellis on several shows during the rocksteady revival that took place during the 1990s.

Ellis died October 10 in London, England from lymphatic cancer. He was also 70 years old.

Edgar Gordon is survived by nine children and 13 grandchildren.