We join the family and friends of Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett who mourn his passing. The world-renowned bass player, and iconic musician was the band leader for Bob Marley’s backing band and is co-producer for several of Bob’s albums as well as arranger of most of his songs. He has more than 800 published session credits as a bassist, writer, or arranger.
Some of Aston’s notable work can be heard on “War,” “Man To Man” (Who The Cap Fit), “Want More” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Stir It Up,” “Jamming,” “No Woman, No Cry,” “Three Little Birds,” “Could You Be Love,” “Is This Love,” and many more.
In addition to his work in the studio, Aston mentored musicians such as Robbie Shakespeare from Sly & Robbie fame. He was the go-to bass player for producers Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s the Upsetters He also worked with The Aggrovators, and King Tubby’s house band, and played on acclaimed reggae albums by Peter Tosh (Equal Rights), Max Romeo (Revelation Time), Keith Hudson (Pick a Dub), and I-Roy (Truth and Rights), to name a few.
He was the go-to bass player for producers Bunny Striker Lee and Lee Scratch Perry, and in the process played on some of the first reggae records ever made.