Farewell Bunny Wailer

Excerpt from Observer column published March 8 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

 

Bunny Wailer - photo from Jamaica Observer 

The passing of the great Bunny Wailer, born Neville O'Riley Livingston was noted far and wide in the global media. He was Bob Marley’s step-brother and together they endured poverty and honed their musical excellence to become with Peter Tosh, Junior Brathwaite and Beverly Kelso (believed to be the only surviving member of the group) the world-famous Wailers. My husband Hubie believes Bunny Wailer was the top singer of them all. He cited his memorable compositions ‘Cool Runnings’, ‘Ballroom Floor’ and ‘Rootsman Skanking’. We learned only last week from an Observer article quoting Marcia Griffiths, that it was Bunny Wailer who wrote “Electric Boogie” for her, the classic which inspired that joyful group dance, ‘Electric Slide’.

 His past year was a sad one, mourning his wife who went missing and was never found.

We give thanks that Bunny Wailer’s passing is not the end of the phenomenal Wailers – their art will endure for generations to come. Our condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.