Aston “Family Man” Barrett, reggae icon and Wailers bassist, has died

Reggae icon Aston “Family Man” Barrett, who was the longtime bassist in Bob Marley & The Wailers, died at his home in Florida on Saturday “after a long medical battle.” He was 77.

The news came via his son, Aston Barrett Jr, who wrote, “With the heaviest of hearts, we share the news of the passing of our beloved Aston ‘Familyman’ Barrett after a long medical battle. This morning, the world lost not just an iconic musician and the backbone of The Wailers but a remarkable human being whose legacy is as immense as his talent. Our family is asking for privacy during this challenging time, as words cannot express our profound loss.”

Barrett was born in 1946, grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and gained recognition as bassist in Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s band, The Upsetters, alongside his brother, drummer Carlton Barrett. The brothers joined Bob Marley & The Wailers, and played on such classics as “Get Up Stand Up,” “Jamming,” “No Woman, No Cry,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” and more.

As he saw himself as The Wailers’ bandleader, behind Marley, he began calling himself “Family Man,” a nickname that stuck. He went on to have over 40 children.

Barrett also played on records by King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, Burning Spear, Delroy Wilson, Horace Andy, I-Roy, Israel Vibration, Jackie Mittoo, Keith Hudson, Max Romeo, and more.

Rest in peace, Aston. Your music lives on.