Renowned Reggae Artist Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Bassist of Bob Marley, Passes Away

Aston Barrett, the renowned bassist of the reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers, has passed away at 77 years old. He was fondly known as "Family Man" and was born in 1946, growing up in Kingston, Jamaica. The family announced his death and stated that Barrett had been battling with a long-term illness, without disclosing further details. Barrett played a crucial role in the development of reggae, featuring in almost all of the Wailers' albums and collaborating with artists like Burning Spear and Peter Tosh. Aston Barrett Jr, Barrett's son, shared the sad news on social media, expressing their heavy hearts over his passing. Aston Barrett first gained recognition as a member of the Upsetters, the supporting band of reggae pioneer Lee "Scratch" Perry, and later joined Bob Marley's band in 1974. His exceptional bass work can be heard in many classic Wailers songs, including "I Shot the Sheriff," "Get Up Stand Up," "Stir It Up," "Jamming," "No Woman, No Cry," and "Could You Be Love." Barrett once emphasized the importance of the drum and bass, stating that if the bass is not right, the music will falter. After Bob Marley's death from cancer in 1981 at the age of 36, the Wailers continued to perform, with various lineup changes and new singers taking Marley's place. In 2013, Barrett revealed in an interview with the BBC that he had fathered 23 daughters and 18 sons, proudly embracing his role as a family man with a total of 41 children.