04/03/2021
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10.04.1947- 02.03.2021
When it comes to the legacy of the original of the original Wailers, Bunny Wailer, aka, Bunny Livingston, aka Neville OβRiley, aka Jah B, has closed this chapter with a deservedly one hundred gunshot salute, a drum roll and with Jamaicaβs flag flying at half mast. His career was one that chronicled the journey of the Rastaman right from its humble beginnings to this present time. And if my memory serves me correctly it was Bunny that was first out of three revolutionaries, to have donned his dreadlocks. This was quite evident when one surfed through the colourful photos that were composite to their second album with Island Records, titled, βBurning.β If youβre familiar with this masterpiece, you will be appreciative of the role Bunny played on the album, most in particular on the track, βRastaman Chant, where his voice was that of an arch angel rising above to reach higher and higher. It showed us all that the years they spent perfecting their trade with the help of the late Joe Higgs in the studios of Lee Perry, Harry J and Coxone Dodd, paid off. It showed that these three men had a package that after 60 years of Jamaican popular music, that this package had yet to be equalled on the island or anywhere in the industry, for that matter. As you know, this package came up to its βsell by date,β and had branched off into 3 different entities, with each individual being just as mystical and charismatic in their own rights as each other.
Although Bunny was the smallest of the three he became the giant of them all when he delivered his first solo album, βBlackheart Man,β (1976). Iβve always credited βBlackheart Man.β to be one of the best reggae album of all time. Iβm getting goose bumps as I write this. Because there is no doubt in my mind that Bunny had an βout of body experienceβ while delivering this composition. All Rastaman on the planet embraced it as a textbook and ritual to our devoted beliefs. Every word, uttered on this vinyl was pure and true. Sadly to say, that Bunny was so wrapped up in his vows that he never capitalised on the albumβs publicity at that time, in support of Rasta having no business to be travelling on an βIron bird.β And so it took the world 10 more years to see the man himself in the flesh, spitting fire at Babylon. It was rumoured that Joe Higgs was the one that intercepted his position on the international circuit, whenever he was in that kind of βRastamanβ mood.
So Bunny finally lets rip internationally, at Madison Square Garden in 1986, where several thousand fans finally had their prayers answered. Bunny Wailerβs concerts were not simply concerts. They were like ceremonies that exemplified his commitment to his faith.
Bunny Livingston, from Kingston Jamaica, was born April 10, 1947, being younger than Bob by two years. Not many people are aware that Bunny and Bob were raised in the same household throughout their childhood years. Being stepbrothers they shared one biological sister called, Pearl. So although The Wailers parted, both men held each other close to heart. As you know Bunny covered a lot of Bobβs songs in honour of him, including some that Bunny actually wrote with him.
Now that this iconic era has come to a close, its important that these characters and their works remain fixated in our hearts and minds, because there will be no time in the future that we will ever bear witness again to such a union. Steel Pulse had the pleasure of meeting Bunny for very first time after a soundcheck at Jamaicaβs Sunsplash in 1983. We went on to tour together in Hawaii many years ago and also French Guyana. We will treasure those moments knowing that they will never be recaptured. The seven album box set that he released 2 decades ago, should be a collectors item for all, because it documented verbally his journey. NEVILLE OβRILEY LIVINGSTON, the recipient of Jamaicaβs Order Of Merit (2016) and most recent the DARC foundation, βLife time achievementβ award (2018), we love you. RIP RIP.
Our condolences to his family, we know itβs been hard with Miss Jean still absent from you all...
