Aston Barrett, reggae legend known as “Family Man”, died last Saturday (3/2) in Miami, Florida (USA), at the age of 77. His son, Aston Barrett Jr., shared the news, revealing that the musician was facing a long health battle.
Born in 1946, in Kingston, Jamaica, Barrett became known for his self-taught skills and for having built his first bass from scratch at home. An innovator of the instrument, he created a new concept of playing the bass. “It was my destiny,” he said in the 2007 documentary “Bass Player.”
The legend begins with the Upsetters, the band led by Lee “Scratch” Perry, one of the most innovative figures in Jamaican music. He joined Perry with drummer brother Carlton Barret in the late 1960s, a period that became crucial for reggae, as under Perry’s leadership, the Upsetters were instrumental in the development of dub and other genre-defining sonic experimentations , based mainly on the bass sound.
Stand up with the Wailers
After the experience with the Upsetters, the Barrett brothers joined Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1974, becoming the protagonists of the band. The brothers’ skill and sonic adaptation contributed to the Wailers’ distinctive sound and helped elevate reggae to a global audience. UB40 singer Ali Campbell said it before ska and rocksteady even existed, until the Barrett brothers invented reggae in the Wailers.
Barrett’s distinctive bass playing style, described as the “backbone” of Marley’s songs, was instrumental in classics such as “No Woman, No Cry” and “Jamming”. But Barrett didn’t just play, he was also co-producer of many of the band’s albums, remaining a key member until the singer’s death in 1981.
In addition to his work with Bob Marley, the bassist contributed to albums by other reggae icons such as Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, King Tubby and Bunny Wailer, and has been widely recognized for his contributions to music history, receiving awards from Bass Player Magazine and be honored as one of the “20 Legendary Bass Players Who Shaped the Sound of the Electric Bass.” He also mentored Robbie Shakespeare and other musicians, influencing generations with his technique. His legacy continues to this day to be a point of reference in reggae and beyond.
The father of the family
Barrett’s personal life was equally extraordinary. He began calling himself “Family Man” because of his role as Bob Marley’s dad and band leader, but the name ended up sticking because of the number of children he had. Aston Barrett was the father of more than 40 children.
His death came less than two weeks before the release of the biopic “Bob Marley: One Love,” which highlighted his role as the bassist and leader of Bob Marley’s band. In the film, the artist is played by his son, Aston Barrett Jr, who played bass in Julian Marley’s band and is now the drummer of the current lineup of the Wailers. The premiere will take place on February 15th in Brazil.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
