Bunny Wailer – the reggae icon and founding member of the original Wailers trio with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh – died in Jamaica.
Bunny, real name Neville Livingston, died Tuesday at Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston … according to his manager, Maxine Stowe. His cause of death was not given, but he has been dealing with serious medical problems since he had his second stroke in 2020.
Livingston, born in Jamaica, became friends with Marley at a young age and they would form the legendary reggae group with Tosh. Although Marley and Tosh were the primary singers and songwriters, Bunny was known for his incredible harmonies on their songs.
In 1965, the trio released their debut album ‘The Wailing Wailers’ before being interrupted and reunited in the 70’s. Around that time, Bunny wrote and recorded one of his most famous songs, ‘Dreamland’ … which he later released on his solo album ‘Blackheart Man’ in 1976.
The Wailers gained international notoriety in 1973 with the release of ‘Catch a Fire’ and the follow-up album ‘Burnin’ … but that would eventually lead to the band splitting up.
Bunny and Tosh both left the band in 1974, but Bunny will forever be linked to the rise of reggae with Marley … and has had a successful solo career himself. He’s going to work with Jamaican musicians, Sly and Robbie, and produced albums by several other artists.
Bunny won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1991 for ‘Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley’, and went on to win two more … including another tribute album in 1997.
As for other awards … in 2017 he received the Order of Merit from the Jamaican Government for his contributions and achievements. Bunny last toured in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of ‘Blackheart Man’.
He was the last remaining member of the OG Wailers. Marley died of cancer in 1981, and Tosh was killed by gunmen in 1987 in an attempted robbery.
Bunny was 73.
TEAR