Aston Barrett, the ‘Family Man’ of Reggae, Dies at 77

Aston Francis Barrett, better known as ‘Family Man’ or ‘Fams’, was a legendary Jamaican bassist, bandleader, and producer who played a vital role in the development and popularization of reggae music.
He was best known for his work with Bob Marley and the Wailers, as well as other influential artists such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Burning Spear, and Peter Tosh. He passed away on February 3, 2024, at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida, after a long medical battle. He was 77 years old.
A Musical Genius from an Early Age
Aston Barrett was born in 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica, where he grew up in a musical family. His father was a guitarist and his mother was a singer. He had 10 siblings, including his brother Carlton, who became a renowned drummer.
Barrett started singing along to soul music on the radio as a child, before switching to the bass guitar. He built his first bass guitar from scratch using plywood, a curtain rod, and an old ashtray. He taught himself how to play by listening to records and mimicking the sounds.
He soon became a sought-after session musician, playing with various bands and artists in the Jamaican music scene. He joined the Hippy Boys, a group that included his brother Carlton, guitarist Alva Lewis, and keyboardist Glen Adams. They backed up singers such as Max Romeo, Dave Barker, and Pat Kelly.
They also recorded instrumental albums under the name of the Upsetters, the backing band of the legendary producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Barrett and his brother developed a unique style of playing that blended funk, rock, and soul influences with the emerging reggae sound. They created complex and catchy bass and drum patterns that became the foundation of many reggae songs.
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The Backbone of the Wailers
In 1970, Aston Barrett and his brother were recruited by Bob Marley to join his band, the Wailers, along with guitarist Peter Tosh and keyboardist Bunny Wailer. Barrett quickly became the bandleader and co-producer of the group, as well as Marley’s close friend and confidant.
He was nicknamed ‘Family Man’ by Marley, who admired his dedication to his wife and children. Barrett had 52 children, according to some sources, and was a father figure to many young musicians.
Aston played on almost every album and song by the Wailers, from their early roots reggae classics such as Soul Rebels and Catch a Fire, to their international breakthrough albums such as Exodus and Uprising. He also co-wrote some of the Wailers’ most famous songs, such as War, Crazy Baldhead, and Talkin’ Blues.
He was responsible for creating some of the most memorable and influential bass lines in reggae history, such as the ones in Stir It Up, No Woman No Cry, and One Love. He also experimented with different sounds and effects, such as the wah-wah pedal, the flanger, and the phaser, to add more depth and texture to the music.

Barrett stayed with Marley until his death in 1981, and continued to tour and record with the Wailers Band, which included his brother Carlton until his murder in 1987. He also collaborated with other reggae artists, such as Burning Spear, Augustus Pablo, Alpha Blondy, and Black Uhuru. He was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans, who regarded him as one of the greatest bassists of all time.
He received several honors and awards for his contributions to music, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from Bass Player Magazine in 2012, the Order of Distinction (Commander class) from the Jamaican government in 2021, and the number-one spot in the ranking of “20 legendary players who shaped the sound of electric bass” by the staff of Bass Player Magazine in 2020.
Aston Barrett Obituary: A Legacy That Lives On
Aston Barrett’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the reggae community and beyond. His son, Aston Barrett Jr., who is also a bassist and a member of the Wailers, announced the news on social media, saying: “This morning, the world lost not just an iconic musician and the backbone of the Wailers but a remarkable human being whose legacy is as immense as his talent. Our family is asking for privacy during this challenging time, as words cannot express our profound loss.”
Father of 40, but owed millions! We lost another master bassist, our good brother Aston Barrett. Prayers going out to his family & friends.🙏 Barrett was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being the younger brother on drums Carlton "Carly" Barrett) who played with Bob Marley… pic.twitter.com/CRb0fe0zxz
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) February 3, 2024
Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister for Culture, also expressed her condolences, saying: “I share with you my deep regret at the passing of Aston Francis Barrett, popularly known as ‘Family Man’ or ‘Fams’ … He was a pioneer of Jamaican music, a mentor to many, and a legend in his own right.
As we commemorate Reggae Month 2024, I wish to express my sincere condolences to his wife, his children, his relatives and to members of the local and international reggae music fraternity. May the angels welcome home Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett to Mount Zion.”
Barrett’s music brought joy to millions, and his influence on reggae is beyond measure. He was a man of few words, but his words carried wisdom, kindness, and love. His bass lines were not just the foundation of the Wailers’ music but the heartbeat of a genre that has touched hearts around the globe.
He will be remembered as the ‘Family Man’ of reggae, a musical genius who left behind a legacy that will live on for generations to come.