Bunny Wailer Dead: Reggae Legend Who Played With Bob Marley Was 73

Bunny Wailer, a Reggae music legend who played with Bob Marley, has died at the age of 73. According to Rolling Stone, Wailer’s manager, Maxine Stowe, confirmed the news that Wailer passed away at the Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday. At this time, no cause has of death has been reported, but Rolling Stone noted that Wailer had been in and out of the hospital since suffering a stroke, his second, in 2020.

Wailer was born Neville Livingston, but later adopted the monitor he was known by during his iconic music career. Wailer was a founding member of The Wailers, along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Wailer was the last remaining member of the legendary trio, as Marley died in 1981 after a long fight with acral lentiginous melanoma, and Tosh was tragically killed during a home invasion in 1987. Wailer would go on to honor his late friends and bandmates with a long career as a godfather of Reggae, even winning the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album three times.

In a post on a Twitter account run by the estate of Peter Tosh, the late musician’s representatives issued a memorial to Wailer, praising him for being a lifeforce of the Reggae genre. “He helped shape the genre that spread from Jamaica throughout the world,” one tweet read. “His contribution to Reggae music will live on forever. Rest our brother. Join us in celebrating Bunny’s life today.”

Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, also issued a memorial in honor of Wailer. “My deep condolences to the family, friends and fans of legendary Reggae artiste, Neville Livingston, also known as Bunny Wailer, JahB,” he wrote. Holness later added, “This is a great loss for Jamaica and for Reggae, undoubtedly Bunny Wailer will always be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music industry and Jamaica’s culture. May his soul Rest In Peace.”