RIP Aston Family Man Barrett Greate

Aston Francis Barrett, also known as "Family Man" or "Fams", was a renowned Jamaican musician and Rastafarian who played a significant role in the evolution of reggae music. Born on November 22, 1946, in Kingston, Jamaica, he passed away on February 3, 2024, in Miami, Florida, at the age of 77.

Aston "Family Man" Barrett was one of the Barrett brothers, the other being his younger brother Carlton "Carly" Barrett, who played drums. They both played with Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Hippy Boys, and Lee Perry's The Upsetters. Aston built his first bass guitar from scratch using plywood, a curtain rod, and an old ashtray. He was known for his unique style of playing the bass, often saying, "When I'm playing the bass, it's like I'm singing. I compose a melodic line and see myself like I'm singing baritone".

Aston joined The Wailers in the 1970s and quickly became the bandleader of Marley's backing band. He was also the co-producer of the group's albums and was in charge of the overall song arrangements. His bass work is a key feature of many Wailers hits, including "I Shot the Sheriff", "Get Up Stand Up", "Stir It Up", "Jamming", "No Woman, No Cry", and "Could You Be Love". He once said, "The drum, it is the heartbeat, and the bass, it is the backbone. If the bass is not right, the music is gonna have a bad back, so it would be crippled".

Aston's influence on reggae music is beyond measure. He was a mentor to many Jamaican musicians, including Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare of the reggae production duo Sly & Robbie. He continued to tour with later iterations of The Wailers and, in 2015, he was named the 25th greatest bassist of all time by NME readers. In 2021, he was honored with the Order of Distinction (Commander class) in the National Honours and Awards on Jamaica’s 59th Anniversary of Independence.

Aston's "Family Man" nickname came about before he had any children of his own. He foresaw his role as a band leader and started to call himself "Family Man". He subsequently fathered 41 children. His son, Aston Barrett Jr., also plays 'Family Man' in the Bob Marley: One Love movie set for release on February 14.

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, and as a result, he faced about £2 million in legal costs for the trial, forcing him to sell two homes in Jamaica.

Aston "Family Man" Barrett passed away on February 3, 2024, after a long medical battle. His death was announced by his son Aston Barrett Jr. on Instagram. Tributes poured in from around the world, recognizing his immense contribution to reggae music and his enduring legacy.

In conclusion, Aston "Family Man" Barrett was a true pioneer of Jamaican music. His unique bass playing style and his contributions as a bandleader and producer with The Wailers have left an indelible mark on reggae music. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and reggae music lovers worldwide.