- Aston Barrett
Name = Aston "Family Man" Barrett
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1946|11|22Kingston, Jamaica
Instrument = Bass
Genre =Reggae
Occupation =Songwriter ,Musician
Years_active = 1960s - present
Label =
Associated_acts =Bob Marley & The Wailers andThe Wailers Band
URL =Aston Francis Barrett (born
November 22 ,1946 , Kingston,Jamaica ), often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, is a Jamaican bass player and Rastafarian.He was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being Carlton "Carlie" Barrett) who played with
Bob Marley and The Wailers andLee Perry 'sThe Upsetters . It has been stated that Aston was the 'leader' of the backing band and responsible for many, if not all bass lines on Bob Marley's greatest hits, as well as having been active in co-producing Marley's albums and responsible for most overall song arrangements. He is an influential bassist, and Flea ofRed Hot Chili Peppers amongst many other famed bassists cite him as an influence. He was the mentor of famed reggae session bassistRobbie Shakespeare of the duoSly & Robbie and is considered one of the elder statesmen of reggae bass guitar playing.His limited solo output is held in high esteem by reggae aficionados, and Aston continues to tour with and lead
The Wailers Band , who carry Marley's torch in the music world by performing his songs with several original band members. Aston has strong support from Marley's fan base to this day, despite his legal wrangling with the Marley family.Legal battle
In 2006 Barrett filed a lawsuit against
Island Records , the Wailers' label, seeking £60 million in unpaid royalties allegedly due him and his now deceased brother. The lawsuit was dismissed. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4772137.stm "Marley bassist loses royalty bid"] , BBC News, May 15, 2006.]Trivia
Family Man's nickname derives from the fact that he has 52 children. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/may/16/topstories3.arts]
Family Man worked as a welder and bicycle mechanic before his musical career.Fact|date=October 2007He started playing bass by creating a home bass from an upside down wash pan attached by fishing cord to a stick, while Carlton used an upside down cheese pan as his drum set. They would play
Skatalites music with their neighbor Robert Hemmings who blew an alto sax. As they played their music crowds would gather on the clinic wall to listen to this trio. Back in the day Carlton always said he would be the greatest drummer in Jamaica. Robert Hemmings gave Aston a guitar which he proceeded to remove two strings to create his first bass and the rest is history.Fact|date=January 2008Equipment
References
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