Reggae Pioneer Aston Barrett of The Wailers Passes Away at 77

Reggae music has lost one of its most iconic figures, Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, who passed away at the age of 77 after a long medical battle. Aston Barrett, known as the bassist for Bob Marley and the Wailers, was an instrumental figure in the rise and global spread of reggae music.

A Legacy Remembered

Barrett's family shared the sad news of his passing, emphasizing the heavy hearts they bear and the immense legacy he leaves behind. His influential bass lines and musical genius earned him the reputation as the 'Architect of Reggae', shaping the sound of an entire genre.

Barrett's career began with the Upsetters, the backing band of reggae pioneer Lee Perry, before he joined Bob Marley in 1974. With the Wailers, he contributed to a multitude of famous tracks, from 'I Shot the Sheriff' to 'No Woman, No Cry'. His musical contributions transcended the Wailers as he worked on albums with other icons like Burning Spear and Peter Tosh.

For his outstanding musical contributions, Jamaica honored Barrett in 2021 with an Order of Distinction. As Barrett once put it himself, the drum is the heartbeat, and the bass is the backbone of music, illustrating his belief in the bass's critical role for the vitality of a song.

More Than Just a Musician

Aston Barrett was also known by his moniker 'Family Man', a name he acquired as a bandleader but also echoed his personal life as the father of 41 children. His son, Aston Barrett Jr., described him as a man of wisdom, love, and kindness whose words, though few, carried significant weight.

Tributes have poured in for Barrett, including from the official social media of Bob Marley, which spoke highly of Barrett's unique and revolutionary influence on music, emphasizing his role as a 'true family man' in both name and action.

The world of music has indeed lost a giant, but his bass lines and the heart he brought to the reggae genre will continue to live on in history and the hearts of millions around the world.

musician, legacy, reggae