Bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett, known for his work with Bob Marley and the Wailers, has passed away at the age of 77.
Olivia Grange, the minister of culture for Jamaica, officially announced on Saturday via X (formerly Twitter) that Aston Francis Barrett, also known as ‘Family Man’ or ‘Fams’, had passed away. Barrett passed away early this morning at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida, USA. Grange expressed her sadness and condolences for his passing.
In 1946, Barrett was born and raised in Kingston. He played a key role in developing reggae and dub music. When he was young, he sang along to soul songs on the radio and later transitioned to playing the bass.
He built his first bass guitar from scratch using plywood, a curtain rod and an old ashtray. In a 2007 interview with Bass Player magazine, he said: “When I’m playing the bass, it’s like I’m singing. I compose a melodic line and see myself like I’m singing baritone.”
Barrett, together with his sibling Carlton, performed with various bands such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, the Hippy Boys, and The Upsetters led by Lee “Scratch” Perry. He also served as a guide and inspiration to numerous Jamaican artists, including Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare of the reggae production duo Sly & Robbie.
Following his inclusion in the Wailers during the 1970s, Barrett took on the role of bandleader for Marley’s supporting group and co-produced their albums. He stayed with the band until the end of Marley’s life, playing a significant role in the creation of beloved albums such as Burnin’ and Uprising.
However, his impact extended beyond his time with the Wailers. He went on to perform with newer versions of the band and in 2015, was recognized as the 25th best bassist by NME readers. In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at Jamaica’s 59th Independence Day celebrations.
In a 2007 article for Bass Player magazine, he stated: “I have played with Bob in the past, alongside him, and after him, and in doing so, I have developed a unique approach to playing bass. It’s just my personal style and my calling.”
Grange’s recent statement also conveyed her backing for the family of the individual known as the “trailblazer of Jamaican music”. She shared, “As we honor Reggae Month 2024, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his spouse, kids, loved ones, and the reggae music community both locally and globally. May Aston “Family Man” Barrett be embraced by the angels as he returns to Mount Zion.”
In 2006, Barrett engaged in a lawsuit against Island Records, seeking £60m in unpaid royalties for his contributions as a producer and songwriter on their albums. However, his efforts were not fruitful and he ultimately retired from the music industry in 2019.
Barrett’s passing has been announced less than a fortnight prior to the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love, a biographical film about Marley in which his son, Aston Barrett Jr., will portray him.
Source: theguardian.com
