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The Wailers were a ska, rocksteady, and reggae group formed in Kingston, Jamaica in 1963, consisting of Bob Marley, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and Cherry Smith.
They were called variously The Teenagers, The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers, and finally The Wailers. By 1966, Braithwaite, Kelso, and Smith had left the band, leaving the trio of Livingston, Marley and Tosh.
Some of The Wailers most notable songs were recorded together with Lee "Scratch" Perry and his studio band, The Upsetters. In the early 1970s, The Upsetters members Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother Carlton (Carlie) Barrett , formed the Wailers Band, the backing band of The Wailers.
The Wailers recorded such groundbreaking reggae songs as, "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "Stir It Up", "Get Up, Stand Up", and many others.
The Wailers broke up in 1974, with each of the three
Most of the group's members have since died. Marley died in 1981, Tosh in 1987, Braithwaite in 1999, and recently Smith in 2008. Bunny Wailer and Beverley Kelso are the only surviving original members of the group.
Lee "Scratch" PerryBy the end of the 1960s, Rastafarian music was not promoted heavily by producers at the time. Groups such as the Abyssians and Burning Spear had poor sales. Justin Hinds and The Dominos limited their Rastafarian influenced sound and message. It would not be until the arrival of The Wailers that the Reggae music industry in Kingston and the general public would begin to embrace Rasta-influenced music that focused on morality and social issues
. Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Bob Marley were mavericks. They also were working with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry at the time. For a group that was trying to actually break through a strong societal barrier, The Wailers seemed to have been in the right place at the right time. All three had had run-ins with the law. Tosh had recently been arrested with Prince Buster on an anti-Rhodesia demonstration. Wailer had just been released from prison after serving a one year sentence for the possession of marijuana. Marley had also recently served time in jail for the same offense, but only served one month. Marley had spent close to a year in Wilmington, Delaware, a time that greatly influenced and motivated him. Having witnessed the civil rights movement, Marley was heavily enthused upon his return. His manager in Delaware was Danny Sims, who would have a huge impact on Marley.
Marley began wearing dreads in the late 1960s and after reverting back to an afro for a short time, went back to dreadlocks. While other performers were suited, booted and performed optimistic, cheerful songs, Marley came out on stage in Rasta fatigues and sandals and began to chant. "Scratch" Perry had been delving into revivalism. Perry and the Wailers put long-term consideration and effort into their work. Perry had little interest in The Wailers initially, however, Perry and Marley had apparently known each other from the Studio One days. After releasing their groundbreaking recordings, The Wailers and Perry split ways. Though the actual reason is not generally known, most believe it was an acrimonious split over money.
The Wailers' Personnel- Bob Marley (1963-1974)
- Bunny Livingston/Wailer (1963-1974)
- Junior Braithwaite (1963-1964)
- Peter McIntosh/Tosh (1963-1974)
- Beverley Kelso (1963-1965) (backing vocal)
- Cherry Smith (1963-1966) (backing vocal)
- Constantine Walker (1966-1967) (backing vocal)
Copyright Citations
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