Bob Marley and his bandmates, The Wailers, may have achieved global fame, but after Marley's death in 1981, many of the surviving members were left financially struggling, according to Aston Barrett Jr., son of original bassist Aston 'Family Man' Barrett.
The Wailers formed in 1963 when Peter Tosh met Marley and Bunny Wailer. Years later, Family Man joined on bass. They signed with Island Records and became one of the most iconic reggae bands, with hits like Could You Be Loved and One Love (re-released in 1984, their highest-charting single). Their album Kaya reached Number 4 in the UK and Number 5 in Australia in March 1978. Despite never securing a UK Number 1, they racked up multiple Top 10s.
Financial Disparity After Marley's Death
The band generated over 25 million album sales and an estimated $200 million in gross revenue, but much of that went to their label. Aston Barrett Jr., who joined The Wailers in 2016, told the Mirror: "Many of The Wailers members, when Bob was alive, they were good money-wise. When Bob died, a lot of them lost a lot of money."
Marley died on May 11, 1981, at age 38, after battling skin cancer that spread to his lungs and brain, despite eight months of alternative treatment.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Aston Jr. feels honored to continue his father's work: "My father paved the way for me... He showed me and gave me the formula, not only to spread the music, but also to teach it." Speaking at Rock in Rio Lisboa, he emphasized the enduring message of The Wailers: "We can't use power to control people. When you use power to control people and to gain money, when you die, you can't take the money."
In 2017, Aston Jr. won a Grammy for co-producing The Struggle Discontinues on Damian Marley's album Stony Hill, which won Best Reggae Album. He credited teamwork: "When we come together, we make magic."
Challenges of Being Family Man's Son
Aston Jr. acknowledged the pressure of carrying The Wailers' name: "When you have a legacy, sometimes it can be a lot that people expect it to be a certain way." He also addressed misconceptions about his father, who famously had 41 children (23 daughters and 18 sons). Aston Jr. said: "People used to say, 'How in the world do you have two kids?' I'm like, why is that a problem?... You want me to go through the same stress that he had with so many women, and so many children?"
Despite having 40 siblings, Aston Jr. noted that his older sisters are close, though he is not as close with some relatives on both sides of his family. His mother, Angela Barrett, insisted that her children respect Family Man despite his infidelity: "My father has so many kids, even after me, and he's married to my mom... My mother said he's still your father, and you must respect him."
Lessons for the Future
Aston Jr. lives by his father's mottos: "Peace, love, and unity to live this world." He also credits his mother: "My mother is such a huge impact on me... It's a balance, and it's called respect." Despite the financial struggles faced by earlier members, Aston Jr. insists that the true message of The Wailers "never dies" and that the band will continue to learn from their mistakes.
