Kingston, Jamaica – Renowned reggae musician Aston Barrett, better known as “Family Man”, has passed away at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of influential bass work and contributions to the genre’s growth.
Barrett, a key figure in the development of reggae music, was born in Kingston in 1946 and gained fame as a member of the Upsetters, the backing band of reggae pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry. He later joined Bob Marley’s band in 1974, where his bass work became synonymous with many Wailers hits, including I Shot the Sheriff, Get Up Stand Up, and No Woman, No Cry.
The musician’s son, Aston Barrett Jr, announced his father’s passing in a social media post, describing Barrett’s death as the result of a “long medical battle”. No further details were provided regarding the nature of his illness.
Throughout his career, Barrett’s bass playing has been recognized as a fundamental element of reggae music, with his son noting that “the bass, it is the backbone… if the bass is not right, the music is gonna have a bad back, so it would be crippled.”
In a 2013 interview with the BBC, Barrett revealed that he fathered 23 daughters and 18 sons, emphasizing his role as a “family man”. His impact on the reggae genre and his collaborations with iconic artists such as Peter Tosh and Burning Spear have solidified his place in musical history.
Barrett’s death marks the loss of a true pioneer in the world of reggae music, and his influence on the genre will undoubtedly continue to resonate for years to come.