What you need to know:
Aston Barrett, bassist for Bob Marley & The Wailers, dies aged 77, leaving behind a great legacy in reggae music through his work with Bob Marley and as a solo musician.
Aston “Family Man” Barrett, former Jamaican bassist and well-known leader of the band Bob Marley & The WailersHe died on the morning of this Saturday, February 3rd, at the age of 77. This was confirmed by his son Aston Barrett Jr. through a post on Instagram.
“It is with the utmost sadness that we share the news that our beloved Aston ‘Familyman’ Barrett has passed away after a long medical battle.”Barrett Jr. wrote in the publication that he requested privacy for his family due to the “severe loss.”
Aston Barrett, bassist for Bob Marley & The Wailers, has died
“This morning the world lost not only a legendary musician and the backbone of the Wailers, but also an extraordinary human being whose legacy is as great as his talent.” added Aston Barrett Jr., who will play his exact father in the film “One Love.”
For her part, Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture of Jamaica, shared a message on her X account detailing this The musician died at the University of Miami Hospital in the US state of Florida.
The musician was 77 years old and a great pillar in the history of reggae
Barrett was born in the city of Kingston and was interested in music since childhood thanks to the influence of his father and grandfather. He began his career with his band “Hippy Boys”.“, which was later called “Reggae Boys”. In 1968, Aston Barrett joined the band The Wailers, founded by Bob Marley.
Together with his brother Carlton Barrett and Aston accompanied Marley during the band’s important albums. as is the case Burn in’ (1973) and Uprising (1980)which helped to make Jamaican reggae known worldwide and which he co-produced.
Aston Barrett was a producer and an integral part of the Wailers
As his son commented in the publication reporting his death: Aston Barret received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Bass Player Magazinein 2012. Likewise, in 2020, he was voted number one bassist in the magazine’s list of “20 Legendary Musicians Who Shaped the Sound of the Electric Bass.”
A year later the musician was honored with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in the National Honors and Awards on the 59th anniversary of Jamaica’s independenceas his influence on reggae and his style with the bass were undeniable.
He retired in 2019 and has been distinguished in recent decades for his work with Bob Marley
The musician’s bass lines were at the root of The Wailers’ music, but also They became an indispensable part of the popular music genre and where he left a legacy to Marley and the other members of the group.
In 2006, the bassist filed a lawsuit against the company Island Records. from whom he demanded a payment of £60 million for the royalties he received for his work as producer and composer on the Wailers’ albums. However, he lost the legal battle that same year.
His son Aston Barrett Jr. will play him in the Bob Marley biopic “One Love.”
Barrett’s death comes just days before the premiere of “Bob Marley: One Love,” the biopic of the late singer in which Barrett will play a role in the plot. As we mentioned at the beginning, The Jamaican musician will be played by his son Aston Barrett Jr. in a film that is already raising high expectations for many.
