Aston “Family Man” Barrett, the iconic Jamaican reggae musician and bassist for Bob Marley and the Wailers, died on Saturday morning at the age of 77. Barrett, commonly known as “Fams”, died at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida, according to Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia Grange, who announced the news on X (previously Twitter).
“As a bass player, keyboardist and guitarist, he was one of the two famed Barrett brothers, Aston and Carlton, who were part of Bob Marley and the Wailers and Lee Scratch Perry and the Upsetters in the early years of Reggae Music,” Grange said.
“This pioneer of Jamaican music was also a mentor to many Jamaican artistes and musicians, including the ‘Riddim Twins’, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare,” the minister added in the announcement.
Barrett’s death was also reported on Marley’s official X account. “Anytime we listen to the music pay close attention to the genius of Fams on the bass,” according to the press release.
“A pioneer, unique, trendsetter, revolutionary in the musical space and most of all as his name implies a true family man,” the press release went on to say. “My condolences to his family. JAH comforts them in their moment of mourning. The memory, fun, and spirit of Fams live on.”
Barrett, born on November 22, 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica, is considered a pioneer in reggae and dub music. Barrett built his first bass guitar using plywood, a curtain rod, and an old ashtray, as reported by The Guardian.
“When I play the bass, it seems like I’m singing. In a 2017 interview with Bass Player magazine, the musician stated that when composing a melody, he imagines himself singing baritone.
Barrett, who joined Bob Marley and the Wailers in the 1970s, not only led the band but also co-produced their recordings. He was still a band member when Marley died, and he even toured with various Wailers lineups.
“I’ve played before, with, and after Bob, and along the way, I developed a completely different philosophy of bass playing. That is simply my thing. “It’s my destiny,” he told Bass Player.
In 2015, NME readers rated Barrett the 25th best bassist of all time. at 2021, the Jamaican government awarded the singer the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at the National Honours and Awards, as reported by The Guardian.
Barrett is reportedly survived by 41 children. In a 2013 BBC interview, he revealed that he has 23 daughters and 18 sons. “I’m the family man,” he remarked. “I’m gifted with 41 [children].”
Marley died shortly after his biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, aired in his home nation. Barrett’s son, Aston Barrett Jr., plays his father’s part in the film.