Reggae legend Bunny Wailer dies, aged 73
News
Bunny Wailer, the legendary reggae artist and co-founder of The Wailers alongside Bob Marley, has died, aged 73.
Wailer died on Tuesday in hospital in Jamaica. No official cause of death has been shared, though he had been hospitalised regularly after suffering a debilitating stroke in July 2020.
Jamaica’s prime minister, Andrew Holness, has paid tribute to the legendary figure, describing his death “a great loss for Jamaica and for reggae”.
Wailer founded The Wailers in 1963 with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, performing vocals and percussion. Wailer was pivotal in guiding reggae to international acclaim, particularly on the group’s 1973 album, ‘Burnin’’.
Wailer left the group to pursue a solo career in 1974, and remained active in music for decades to come. He won the Grammy award for best reggae album three times, in 1991, 1995, and 1997, and was awarded the Order Of Jamaica in 2012.
Tributes to Bunny Wailer have come from across the global music scene. See some of those, and listen to his iconic track, ‘Dream Land’, below.
RIP Bunny Wailer truly an iconic figure and music maestro who’s solo career resulted in one of the most brilliant and inspiring albums in the entire Reggae lexicon…’Blackheart Man’. His contribution to Jamaican music across the past 60 years is immeasurable. pic.twitter.com/TELnet19mz
— David Rodigan (@DavidRodigan) March 2, 2021
Rest in Power, Bunny Wailer (AKA Neville O’Riley Livingston). A true Reggae icon and Jamaican legend, a brother, a father, an uncle, a friend. Bunny played alongside Peter Tosh and Bob Marley in the most influential Reggae group of all time, The Wailers… pic.twitter.com/WMBQlnjEbC
— Peter Tosh (@PeterTosh) March 2, 2021
We have lost another legend. Rest in peace the great Bunny Wailer pic.twitter.com/xeBPAhcP8x
— Jumpin Jack Frost (@djjjfrost) March 2, 2021
Rest in peace Bunny Wailer. Travel safe to Dream Land. pic.twitter.com/EiuuW8v9lo
— Ghostpoet (@ghostpoet) March 2, 2021
