Renowned bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett will be commemorated with two funeral services to celebrate his remarkable life and legacy. The first service is scheduled to take place in Florida later this month.
His son, Floyd Barrett, known as John GQ, shared with Jamaica Observer that a private service will be held in Miami on February 24th, followed by another service in Jamaica on March 5th, where Barrett will be laid to rest. Further details will be provided as arrangements are finalized.
Barrett, who passed away on February 3rd in Miami at the age of 77, leaves behind a profound musical legacy.
Best known as the bassist and bandleader of Bob Marley & The Wailers, he served as a co-producer of their albums and was responsible for overall song arrangements. His leadership role in the band earned him the nickname “Family Man.”
His basslines were integral to numerous Wailers hits, including classics like “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Get Up Stand Up,” “Stir It Up,” “Jamming,” “No Woman, No Cry,” and “Could You Be Love.”
Prior to his tenure with The Wailers, Barrett and his brother Carlton performed with The Hippy Boys and Lee Perry’s The Upsetters.
Following Bob Marley’s passing from cancer in 1981, The Wailers continued to perform, albeit with several lineup changes and various singers filling Marley’s role. Barrett eventually parted ways with the group and, in 2006, filed a lawsuit against their label, Island Records, seeking £60 million in unpaid royalties. The case was later dismissed.
Barrett’s contributions to music were widely recognized. In 2012, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Bass Player Magazine, and in 2020, he was ranked as the top bassist by the magazine’s staff in their list of “20 legendary players who shaped the sound of electric bass.”
In 2021, Barrett was honored with Jamaica’s Order of Distinction (Commander class) for his significant contributions to reggae music.
Read more: Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, former bassist of Bob Marley & The Wailers, has died
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