Aston “Family Man” Barrett, legendary bassist of Bob Marley & the Wailers, leaves an indelible mark on reggae, mentoring talents and crafting a melodic bass legacy.
Aston “Family Man” Barrett, the renowned bassist for Bob Marley and the Wailers, passed away at the age of 77, as confirmed by Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s minister for culture. Grange shared the sad news on X (formerly Twitter), expressing deep regret for the loss of Aston Francis Barrett, also known as “Family Man” or “Fams.” Barrett died at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida, USA.
Born in 1946 in Kingston, Barrett played a crucial role in shaping the foundations of reggae and dub. He initially sang along to soul music on the radio as a child before transitioning to the bass. In a 2007 interview with Bass Player magazine, he described playing the bass as akin to singing, emphasizing his melodic approach to the instrument.
Barrett, alongside his brother Carlton, played with various groups, including Bob Marley & the Wailers, the Hippy Boys, and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s The Upsetters. He mentored several Jamaican musicians, including Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare of the reggae production duo Sly & Robbie.
Joining the Wailers in the 1970s, Barrett became the bandleader and co-producer of Marley’s backing band, leaving an indelible mark on albums like Burnin’ and Uprising. His influence extended beyond Marley’s era, as he continued to tour with later versions of the Wailers. In 2015, NME readers named him the 25th greatest bassist of all time, and in 2021, he received the Order of Distinction (Commander class) in Jamaica’s National Honours and Awards.
Despite facing a legal battle with Island Records in 2006, seeking £60m in unpaid royalties, Barrett retired from music in 2019. His passing comes shortly before the release of the Bob Marley biopic, “One Love,” where his son, Aston Barrett Jr., will portray him. Grange expressed condolences, referring to Barrett as a pioneer of Jamaican music, and wished for his peaceful journey to Mount Zion as the reggae community commemorates Reggae Month in 2024.
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