Family Man (musician) explained

Aston Barrett
Honorific Suffix:CD
Birth Name:Aston Francis Barrett
Alias:Family Man
Birth Date:22 November 1946
Birth Place:Kingston, Jamaica
Death Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genre:Reggae
Years Active:1962–2019
Past Member Of:

Aston Francis Barrett, CD (22 November 1946 – 3 February 2024), often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, was a Jamaican musician and Rastafarian.[1] [2] He was best known as the bass-guitar bandleader of Bob Marley and The Wailers, as well as co-producer of the albums, and the man in charge of the overall song arrangements.[3]

Early life

Aston Francis Barrett was born on 22 November 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica.[4] He was the fourth of five children, and first son, of Wilfred and Violet Barrett.[5]

Barrett sang along to soul music as a child, then learned the bass, building his first bass guitar from scratch.[6] As young men, Barrett and his younger brother Carlton earned a meager income as welders while doing session work on the side.[7]

Career

Along with his brother Carlton on drums, Barrett went on to play with Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Hippy Boys and Lee Perry's The Upsetters.[8]

Mentorship

Barrett was the mentor and teacher of Robbie Shakespeare of the duo Sly & Robbie.[9]

Equipment

Barrett played a Fender Jazz Bass and used Acoustic 370 and Ampeg SVT bass amplifiers.[10] [11]

Island Records dispute

In 2006 Barrett filed a lawsuit against Island Records, the Wailers' label, seeking £60 million in unpaid royalties allegedly due him and his now deceased brother. The lawsuit was dismissed.[12] The arguments by Island-Universal and the Marley family was that Barrett surrendered his rights to any further royalties in a 1994 settlement in exchange for several hundred thousand dollars. The judge agreed. As a result, he faced about £2 million in legal costs for the trial, forcing him to sell two homes in Jamaica.[13]

Personal life and death

Nickname

Barrett's "Family Man" nickname came about before he had any children of his own. Barrett foresaw his role as a band leader and started to call himself "Family Man". He subsequently fathered 41 children: 23 daughters and 18 sons. He also claimed to have 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.[14]

Death

Barrett died of heart failure after a series of strokes in Miami, Florida on 3 February 2024, at the age of 77.[15] [16] [17]

Influence

Bass Player magazine has commented that "Perhaps no music evokes the notion of bass and bass tone like reggae and dub, and no two words are more synonymous with those plucking practices than Family Man."[18] Ali Campbell, frontman of UB40, credits Aston Barrett and his brother as the inventors of reggae as we know it, stating, "There was bluebeat, rocksteady and ska. That all happened before reggae, which kind of happened in about ’69, you know — when reggae as we know it was invented by the Barrett brothers, I’d say."[19] Rock musician John Lennon expressed admiration for the unique bass sound originating from Jamaica, while discussing his plans for a comeback album in early 1980 while listening to the Bob Marley & The Wailers album Burnin', stating, "You couldn't get that sound in New York. No way!"[20]

Ziggy Marley, eldest son of Bob Marley, emphasizes the significance of Aston Barrett's bass alongside Carlton's drumming in his father's music, noting, "They have their own style."[21] Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones acknowledges the Wailers' rapid improvement with Barrett's addition on bass.[22] Robbie Shakespeare of Sly & Robbie fame hailed Barrett as a master bassist, attributing much of his own success to Barrett's influence.[23]

Awards and recognition

Discography (selected)

Compilations

As producer

As engineer

As musician

Notes and References

  1. Lockdown Check-In With Aston "Family Man" Barrett: Aston "Family Man" Barrett. May 2020. Bass Magazine. 7 August 2020. 28 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928150112/https://bassmagazine.com/artists/bass-magazine-lockdown-check-in-with-aston-family-man-barrett. live.
  2. Web site: Aston "Family Man" Barrett. Discogs.com. 19 December 2021. 1 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211201043806/https://www.discogs.com/artist/386410-Aston-Family-Man-Barrett. live.
  3. Family's fortunes: Aston "Family Man" Barrett . Steckles . Garry . 79 . June 2006 . . 11 April 2019 . 2 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202000313/http://caribbean-beat.com/issue-79/familys-fortunes-aston-family-man-barrett#axzz3Te6mVQFx . live.
  4. Web site: Kaloi . Stephanie . Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Bob Marley & the Wailers Bassist, Dies at 77 . . 4 February 2024 . 4 February 2024 . 4 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204054308/https://www.thewrap.com/aston-family-man-barrett-bob-marley-and-the-wailers-bassist-dies/ . live .
  5. News: Katz . David . Aston 'Family Man' Barrett obituary . 4 February 2024 . . 4 February 2024 . 4 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204214955/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/04/aston-family-man-barrett . live.
  6. News: Bugel . Safi . Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, bassist with Bob Marley and the Wailers, dies aged 77 . 4 February 2024 . . 3 February 2024 . 3 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203220104/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/03/aston-family-man-barrett-bassist-with-bob-marley-and-the-wailers-dies-aged-77 . live .
  7. Book: White . Timothy . Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley . May 2, 2006 . . 9780805080865 . 233 . February 4, 2024.
  8. News: Aston 'Familyman' Barrett: Rockstone Wailer . Campbell . Howard . 20 April 2012 . . 29 April 2012 . 31 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170131195144/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Aston--Familyman--Barrett--Rockstone-Wailer_11292405 . live .
  9. Web site: Interview: Robbie Shakespeare . Taylor . Angus . 26 June 2012 . United Reggae . 11 April 2019 . 20 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161120010641/http://unitedreggae.com/articles/n1024/062612/interview-robbie-shakespeare . live .
  10. News: Murphy . Bill . An interview with Aston "Family Man" Barrett . 4 February 2024 . . 6 May 2023 . 14 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230514110817/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/aston-family-man-barrett-interview . live .
  11. News: Johnson . Kevin . Legend: An Interview with Aston "Family Man" Barrett . 4 February 2024 . No Treble . 26 June 2014 . 4 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204220542/https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2014/06/26/legend-an-interview-with-aston-family-man-barrett/ . live .
  12. Web site: Marley bassist loses royalty bid . 15 May 2006 . BBC News . 11 April 2019 . 18 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190418210108/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4772137.stm . live .
  13. News: Lewis . Paul . 16 May 2006 . Wailer with 52 children waits in vain for Marley's millions . en-GB . The Guardian . 28 October 2023 . 0261-3077 . 28 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028214809/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/may/16/topstories3.arts . live .
  14. Web site: Keeping Bob Marley's Legend alive . Youngs . Ian . 25 September 2013 . BBC News . 11 April 2019 . 18 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190418210101/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24238993 . live .
  15. News: Chen . Isabell . Reggae Musician Aston "Family Man" Barrett Has Died At Age 77 . 3 February 2024 . WMV . 3 February 2024 . 3 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203165847/https://worldmusicviews.com/aston-family-man-barrett-has-died-at-age-77/ . live .
  16. News: Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Bassist and Rhythmic Backbone of Bob Marley & The Wailers, Dead at 77 . 3 February 2024 . Rolling Stone . 3 February 2024 . 3 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203180519/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aston-family-man-barrett-bassist-bob-marley-amp-the-wailers-dead-obituary-1234960251/ . live .
  17. News: Risen . Clay . 2024-02-07 . Aston Barrett, 77, Bass-Playing Force With Bob Marley and Wailers, Dies . 2024-02-07 . The New York Times . 7 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207192138/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/arts/music/aston-barrett-dead.html?smid=url-share . live .
  18. Web site: 1 January 2020. The iconic bassists who developed the sound of low-end as we know it. 1 January 2020. BassPlayer. 25 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200325132947/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/20-legendary-players-who-shaped-the-sound-of-electric-bass. live.
  19. Web site: 4 February 2011. Reggae is as influential as it was in the 60's and 70's. 11 April 2019. BBC News. 25 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150925152924/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12366774. live.
  20. Book: Goldman, Albert. The Lives of John Lennon. 1988. Bantam Press. 644. Albert Goldman.
  21. Macdonald, Kevin (director) . 2012 . Marley . Documentary film . en . 11 April 2019 . 21 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200721235739/http://www.magpictures.com/marley/ . live .
  22. Book: Richards, Keith . . Keith Richards . 126 . 2010 . Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
  23. Web site: FCJ interviews Sly and Robbie . Rao . Shivu . 19 July 2009 . Fog City Journal . 11 April 2019 . 4 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190404030501/http://www.fogcityjournal.com/wordpress/1347/fcj-interviews-reggae-greats-sly-dunbar-and-robbie-shakespeare/ . live .
  24. News: Bass Player honour for 'Family Man' . Campbell-Livingston . Cecelia . 26 October 2012 . The Jamaica Observer . 27 October 2012 . 28 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121028193458/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Bass-Player-honour-for-Family-Man_12837003 . live .
  25. Web site: The iconic bassists who developed the sound of low-end as we know it . 1 January 2020 . BassPlayer . 1 January 2020 . 25 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200325132947/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/20-legendary-players-who-shaped-the-sound-of-electric-bass . live .
  26. Web site: Honours in order Ernest Ranglin, Aston Barrett, Lt Stitchie, The Mighty Diamonds to receive national awards . Jamaica Gleaner . 8 August 2021 . 8 August 2021 . 8 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210808072143/https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20210808/honours-order . live .
  27. Web site: T . Mr. . Aston "Family Man" Barrett & The Wailers Band – Soul Constitution: Instrumentals & Dubs 1971–1982 . Reggae Vibes . 4 February 2024 . 13 April 2018 . 9 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209045748/https://www.reggae-vibes.com/reviews/2018/04/aston-family-man-barrett-the-wailers-band-soul-constitution-instrumentals-dubs-1971-1982/ . live .
  28. Web site: Magni . Erik . Horace Andy and Winston Jarrett – The Kingston Rock . United Reggae . 4 February 2024 . 15 July 2016 . 5 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240205035504/https://unitedreggae.com/articles/n2112/071516/horace-andy-and-winston-jarrett-the-kingston-rock . live .
  29. News: Mills . Claude . Family row deepens over health of Wailers bassist 'Family Man' . 4 February 2024 . . 21 September 2022 . 9 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209045759/https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2022/09/21/family-row-deepens-over-health-of-wailers-bassist-family-man/ . live .
  30. Web site: Sinclair . David . Bob Marley & The Wailers – Catch A Fire . . 4 February 2024 . 13 April 2023 . 2 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002160740/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/bob-marley/bob-marley-catch-a-fire/ . live .
  31. Book: Barrow . Steve . Dalton . Peter . Reggae: 100 Essential CDs . 121–122 . 1999 . . 1-85828-567-4 . Steve Barrow.

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