The Last Living Member of the Legendary Bob Marley & The Wailers “Bunny Wailer” Dead At 73.

“It was the  best of times and the worse of times”

Dickens recorded events as he saw them and here I am  also recording the death of Bunny Wailer,  a real Reggae Legend. Who at 73 has succumbed to his infirmaty. Bunny has been ailing for sometime now and has been hospitalized since late 2020.

According to Charles Dickens who penned this famous line in “Tales Of Two Cities.” This was a historical account of f the events of 1775.  You will recall this was around the time of the American Independence and later in 1789 the French Revolution.

We reflect today on the life of Neville O’Riley Livingston aka  Bunny Wailer one of of the original members of the Wailers which consisted of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and of course Bunny Wailer.

Last Surviving

Bunny Wailer is the only sur

Bunny later form The Solomonic Record Label.

Bob Marley himself formed the Tuff Gong Label.

1990 He also won a Grammy

1996 Hall of Fame he won the Grammy.

Miss Kitty spoke to him in an interview, live on NNN.  We monitor this interview for you. This is a repeat interview once played.

The Wailer said:

“It was not hard to embark on a solo career. I did the Song “Back heart man” was a famous single. It was a black heart man.  Although Bob and Peter did not sing Black Heart Man, they embraced the concept”

How did you overcome the stigma: I know that Emperor Haile Selassie is a great man. Nothing can change that

“Would like to big up the fans for their support.”

Crucial was one of Many great songs created by Bunny Wailer.

Kitty: 

“My favourite colour is white.

Me is a man who cook my own food. Onion, garlic, time and pepper.  I read a Psalm daily.

I am a good cook.

Maxine:

I learn from him jackfruit,  nuts and raw food is the best.

Many called in to hail the living legend.  Callers wished him the best and stated his favourite songs that they liked.

Bob marley did not get a Grammy.

How did the deaths of Bob & Peter ? I give thanks to be here. I am a survivor and thank the Most High for keeping me alive.  We did a number a fun things. Bunny Wailer Museum in 10 Farley Crescent, Washington Gardens.  I invite my friends and the public. There was a soft launching.

Maxine:

We plan in July to open this Museum. He has a plan for a satellite in Nine Mike’s.

He also Plans something for the “Scatalites”. There is nothing of them in terms of honour.

After 50 years, what is left

“I just plan to continue spreading the word”

Wailersmuseum.com

T-shirt and buttons are planned

BW: I am planning to tour Etheopia.  I have never visited Africa.

BW: Snoop Dogg wanted to be a Lion, but he was not prepared to do what it takes to be a Lion so he has to stay as a dog.

BW: Luciana doing great music. I am not very comfortable with what is happening with other music.

BW: Capleton Luciana have done great things for the music.

Max: He is most reluctant not to commercialize the music. Just like the Black Heart Man in 1996. Harry J is was the studio this song was recorded.

Partner Disappeared

The 50 year partner of the reggae icon with Miss G whit has disappeared mysteriously in 2018 and has not been heard of since. She is believed to have suffered from memory loss.

He left behind 12 daughter and a son

Skill Cole, reacting to Bunny’s passing said inter alia:

“Bunny Wailer was very disciplined and had a great work ethic. He was a Professional. He was there half an hour before rehearsals. Among some of his many songs were “Get up stand up, Stir it up and in 1976 Black Heart man …”

Skill Cole opened.

Babsy Grange reacting to Bunny Wailer’s death has expressed her sadness.  She is was on phone call she said :

Miss Watt, Sister Jean

In 1991 Bob Marley died of cancer and in 1997 Peter Tosh was murdered in a robbery attempt. In 1991 he received his first Grammy Award, in 1995 his second Grammy. Also Order Of Merit Award plus Industry Music Industry Award

Cool Runnings another favourite among his fans.

He lived on his 142 acres of property which he cultivated on.

Wailer in his solo career was a most improvement of all Reggae artists.

Skill Cole:

“The music industry has just been Maverick. He has not been fully recognized. Bob Marley got a lot of recognition. They refused to complete a contract for a five album set with Chris Blackwell at Island Records. Bunny Wailer was the force behind the Wailers. He was the spokesperson for the group. He would stand up for his views.”

“We had many fond memories. Bunny formed the name “I Trees”.

First tour 1972 Chris Blackwell.  Tour fees and lack of proper arrangements.

Babsy Grange

BG: “His impact has been awesome Bob, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff. We have to thank God he has been around with us for such a long time. He was a poet.  My favourite song. Crucial.  He was a great song writer.”

Skill Cole: Rude boy area

Skill Cole: ” Bunny was very focussed. He felt whatever he wrote had an impact. He was truly special.”

Miss Kitty: “Did we give him enough accolade while alive?”

Babsy Grange: “He got the 4tth highest honour OM. We could not give him roses when he was alive.  When he was alive he would not have gotten all the roses”.

BG:. “The Cabinet has asked me to do what we can do. He will be given all the honour and we will do what we can.”  Allan Skill Cole is an internationally noted footballer who played vin Brazil in addition to Jamaica. Some of his hits include: Crucial. No rice and peas a crucial, it crucial. Dumpling

Skill Cole: “Come from jail was written by us. He was a top writer.”

Natty get bail, Natty cone from jail.  Bunny Wailer.

We are sorry and  quite sad to see Bunny Wailer gone so soon.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a poet and veteran journalist with International exposure.