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The Wailers (1963–1974 band)

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The Wailers

The Wailers were a ska, rocksteady, and reggae musical group organized in Kingston, Jamaica during 1963, consisting of Bob Marley, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Cherry Smith.

History

They were known variously as The Teenagers, The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers and finally The Wailers. By 1966 Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith had ended their employment with the band, which then consisted of the trio Livingston, Marley and Tosh.

Some of The Wailers most notable songs were recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry and his studio band The Upsetters. During the early 1970s The Upsetters members Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother Carlton (Carlie) Barrett [1], formed the Wailers Band, providing instrumental backing for The Wailers.

The Wailers recorded groundbreaking reggae songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".

The Wailers disbanded during 1974, and each of the three main members then had a solo career. Bob Marley achieved international fame with Bob Marley & The Wailers (with the Wailers Band as backing band and the I Threes as backing vocalists). Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer both enjoyed considerable solo success as reggae music continued to gain popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. They were supported by their respective backing bands Word, Sound and Power and The Solomonic Orchestra.

After the death of Marley, Japanese singer Joe Yamanaka, a good friend of Marley, became the main singer for The Wailers until 1986 when Joe began to become involved with charity and aid work. They released three albums named Reggae Vibration.[2]

Most of the group's members have since died: Marley died during 1981, Tosh during 1987, Braithwaite during 1999 and Smith during 2008.[3] Bunny Wailer and Beverley Kelso are the only surviving members of the original group.

Members

Discography

Main article: Bob Marley & The Wailers discography

Sound samples

Tours

  • Apr–Jul 1973: Catch a Fire Tour (England, USA)
  • Oct–Nov 1973: Burnin' Tour (USA, England)
  • Jun–Jul 1975: Natty Dread Tour (USA, Canada, England)
  • Apr–Jul 1976: Rastaman Vibration Tour (USA, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, France, England, Wales)
  • May–Jun 1977: Exodus Tour (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, England)
  • May–Aug 1978: Kaya Tour (USA, Canada, England, France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium)
  • Apr–May 1979: Babylon by Bus Tour (Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii)
  • Oct 1979–Jan 1980: Survival Tour (USA, Canada, Trinidad/Tobago, Bahamas, Gabon)
  • May–Sep 1980: Uprising Tour (Switzerland, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, USA)

References

  • Farley, Christopher (2007). Before the Legend: The Rise of Bob Marley, Amistad Press ISBN 0060539925
  1. ^ Lee Scratch Perry Interview, New Musical Express, 17 November 1984
  2. ^ http://www.universal-music.co.jp/universalj/artist/joe_yamanaka/biography.php
  3. ^ Palm Beach Post - Ermine Cherry Dempsey-Barker, former member of the Wailers, dies (October 12, 2008)
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