The backing band for Bob Marley from 1974 until his death in 1981 was The Wailers Band. When Bob Marley originally started singing with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh on the album Catch A Fire and Burnin’, known as The Wailers. After Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, Chris Blackwell decided to market Bob Marley as a rock&roll band, and the name was changed to “Bob Marley & The Wailers”.
Junior Marvin/Aston Barrett led the Wailers Band after the death of Bob Marley.
Today The Wailers Band continues to play live in concert, and in 2006 they played on 311’s Summer Unity tour along with Pepper.
Current lineup: Junior Marvin on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Al Anderson on Lead Guitar, Aston “Family Man” Barrett on Bass, Keith Sterling on Keys, Drummie Zeb on Drums, Marcia Griffiths on background vocals (Wailers Sister).
Members included:
Aston Barrett:
A Jamaican bass player and Rastafarian, Aston Francis Barrett was born November 22, 1946, Kingston, Jamaica, and often called “Family Man” or “Fams” for short. He was one of the Barrett brothers who played with Bob Marley and The Wailers and Lee Perry’s The Upsetters. Aston was the ‘leader’ of the backing band, responsible for many bass lines on Bob Marley’s greatest hits.
Carlton Barrett:
Carlton Barrett Carlton “Carly” Barrett, the originator of the one-drop rhythm, drumming style is an important member of Bob Marley and The Wailers since 1969. Along with his brother Aston “Family Man”, Carly co-wrote “Talkin’ Blues” and performed on every Wailer album since. With Carly’s beats and his brother Aston’s bass, the Wailer rhythm section planted the seeds of international reggae.
Tyrone Downie:
Currently residing in France, Tyrone Downie is a keyboardist/pianist. He played with The Wailers Band and has also played with Peter Tosh, Burning Spear and Sly & Robby.
Alvin Patterson:
Alvin “Seeco” Patterson is a Jamaican born percussionist. He was a member of The Wailers Band.
Junior Marvin:
Junior Marvin (Junior Kerr, Junior Hanson, Julian [Jr] Marvin) is a Jamaican born guitarist. Junior met Bob Marley on February 14, 1977 and hence joined Bob Marley and The Wailers Band. Junior carried the music of The Wailers Band After Bob Marley passed, releasing albums ID, Majestic Warriors, Jah Message, and My Friends.
Al Anderson (Wailers):
A member of Wailers Band and played on several albums in the early and mid-1970s, Al Anderson is an American-born guitarist. He later left the group to join Peter Tosh. Some notable guitar work was done on 1975’s Bob Marley and the Wailers Live! recorded in London.
I Threes:
Made up of 3 women, The I Threes was a Jamaican reggae-backing band, formed in 1974 to support Bob Marley and the Wailers after Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, the original Wailer backing vocalists, left the band. The 3 members were Marley’s wife Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths.
Earl Lindo:
Earl “Wire” Lindo is a Jamaican musician. He is a member of The Wailers and has collaborated with countless reggae artists including Burning Spear. EARL “WYA” LINDO Bubbling with his trademark funky syncopated organ playing Earl “Wya” Lindo began his career with the Wailers in 1972. While attending Excelsior High School in Jamaica “Wya” played organ in the band Now Generation. Aston “Familyman” Barrett heard “Wya” and recommended him to play for a Saturday afternoon television program called “Where It’s At” on JBC.