Wailers Band still a mighty force

Wailers Band.

Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Nineteen years after the death of Bob Marley some of the original members of his band, the Wailers, still have not received the respect and honour due to them.

This is the view of Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, one of the original members of the band.

However, the group has kept the music, mementos and his name alive by performing all over the world.

"We hope the day will come when the Bob Marley estate will realise that the Wailers deserve the right, regard and honour," said Barrett, who is also the producer of the Exodus album, dubbed Album of the Century by Time Magazine.

The musician, who started out with the Wailers in 1969, believes the settlement of the Bob Marley Estate is near. However, Debbie Fraser of Myers, Fletcher and Gordon, one of the lawyers for the Bob Marley estate told the Gleaner she was not aware of any sums due to the Wailers.

"I am aware there was a settlement with the Wailers sometime ago", she said..

She was unable to specify the amount of the settlement, saying her colleague, who was more familiar with the case, was in court at the time Showbiz tried to reach her.

The Wailers, who went on an extensive tour of the United States on Thursday, May 25 and will travel to Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Tunisia from mid-June to September, seem never to be out of work.

"When the Wailers perform on any stage it's like Bob himself is on stage; the vibes is so right. We promote the Bob Marley and Wailers catalogue year in year out", said Barrett.

South Africans promoters want them in July and they are now juggling the dates so as to fulfil that request.

Late last year the group recorded a live album in Negril with Marcia Griffiths, featuring such songs as Running Away, Eden, Be Wise, and two instrumentals Cobra Style and Well Pleased. The album was released in Virginia in February.

The most impressive thing about the Wailers is the lead singer, Gary Nestapine, who has a Bob Marley sound-alike voice.

He joined the group two years ago and has been creating waves on stages all over the world, with fans looking to him as the 'reincarnation of the King'.

But Gary is "a simple youth from Port Antonio", who constantly pays tribute to his mother Amy in all his interviews.

The Wailers have a young fan base, most of whom were born just before Bob died.

Legends

"They are always at our concerts to see the living legends", Barrett said.

The group travels with CDs and posters, which Barrett said, "go like hot bread."

Barrett said since Bob's death the group has visited Dakar and Abidjan in Africa, where they were greeted with 'Welcome Home'messages.

During the days when Bob Marley toured with the Wailers they loved to performed in such African countries as Zimbabwe and Namibia, where they were always warmly received.

To date four members of the original Wailers have remained with the group: They are Al Anderson, Earl 'Wire' Lindo, Marcia Griffiths and Aston Barrett. Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths, known as the I-Threes, were the original back-up singers. But today two Montegonians, Marsha Scott and Cebe Hayles, have replaced the I-Threes.

"Reggae music is one of the greatest sounds I know, because you dance the whole night and it keeps you in a good mood...you love yourself when you dance Reggae music," Barrett said.

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