Reggae World Mourns Aston 'Family Man' Barrett

  

Aston Barrett pictured in 2015. His death comes less than two weeks before the release of Bob Marley: One Love, the biopic of Marley in which Barrett will be played by his son, Aston Barrett Jr.

Photograph: Martin Argles/The Guardian

Breaking the news on X (formerly Tweeter) , Jamaica's Minister for Culture, Olivia Grange, shared her profound sorrow:

 "I share with you my deep regret at the passing of Aston Francis Barrett, affectionately known as 'Family Man' or 'Fams.' He departed this world at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida, USA, early this morning." Posted Grange.

Born in 1946 and raised in the musical crucible of Kingston, Barrett's roots run deep, laying the groundwork for reggae and dub. A musical journey that began by crooning along to soul tunes on the radio evolved into crafting his first bass guitar from plywood, a curtain rod, and an old ashtray. In a 2007 interview with Bass Player magazine, he described playing the bass as akin to singing, creating melodic lines that resonated with a baritone vibe.

Teaming up with his brother Carlton, Barrett contributed his talents to renowned groups such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, the Hippy Boys, and Lee "Scratch" Perry’s The Upsetters. Beyond his musical prowess, he mentored icons like Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, forming the reggae production powerhouse Sly & Robbie.

Elevating his role in the 1970s, Barrett not only anchored Marley's backing band but co-produced their albums, leaving an indelible mark on classics like Burnin’ and Uprising. His influence extended far beyond Marley's era, touring with later versions of the Wailers and securing the 25th spot on NME readers' list of the greatest bassists in 2015. In 2021, Jamaica acknowledged his impact by bestowing upon him the Order of Distinction (Commander class) during its 59th Anniversary of Independence celebrations.

In a reflective 2007 feature, Barrett shared, "I’ve played before Bob, with Bob, and after Bob, and along the way, I created a whole new concept of bass playing. That’s just my thing. That’s my destiny."

Minister Grange extended heartfelt condolences to the Barrett family, remembering him as a "pioneer of Jamaican music."

 "May the angels welcome home Aston 'Family Man' Barrett to Mount Zion as we commemorate Reggae Month 2024." She added,

A legal maestro as much as a musical one, Barrett fought a 2006 legal battle against Island Records, seeking £60m in unpaid royalties for his production and songwriting. Despite the campaign, he retired from music in 2019. The timing of his departure, just shy of two weeks before the release of the Bob Marley biopic "One Love," where his son, Aston Barrett Jr., steps into his father's iconic shoes, adds a poignant note to the symphony of his extraordinary life.