The Wailers Band was formed in the early 1970s as a backing band for the reggae group The Wailers, which comprised Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley. The band The Upsetters had regularly worked in the studio with The Wailers in the early 1970s when two of their members, Aston and Carlton Bennett, decided to form a backing band for them. They called themselves The Wailers Band and were heard on more than 20 chart hits in the UK alone such as “Get Up, Stand Up”, “Simmer Down” and “Stir It Up”.
In 1973/4 The Wailers decided to go their own ways and Bob Marley followed the path of a solo career. The Wailers Band became his backing group and along with the backing singers known as the I-Threes, they became known as Bob Marley & The Wailers.
They saw major success when they performed on songs such as “Could You Be Loved”, “I Shot the Sheriff”, “No Woman No Cry” and “Exodus” and many more.
Bob Marley died in 1981 but the Wailers continued to perform and even after the death of Carlton Bennett in 1987 they carried on and have recorded albums that include Jah Message, J.D., Majestic Warriors and Never Ending Wailers. Through the course of their career they have appeared with artists such as The Fugees, Carlos Santana, Sting and Stevie Wonder and recently they have appeared on a video with the country singer Kenny Chesney and been on a 2008 world tour with the United Nations World Food Program to assist children that need food.
Members over the years:
Al Anderson (Guitar)
Alfa Anderson Barfield (Electric Guitar)
Elan Atias (Vocals)
Aston “Family Man” Barrett – (Bass/Guitar/Percussion/Piano)
Carlton “Carlie” Barrett – (Drums/Percussion)
Tyrone Downie (Keyboards/Backing Vocals)
Marci Griffiths (Backing Vocals – Member of I-Threes)
Earl Lindo (Keyboards)
Rita Marley (Backing Vocals – Member of I-Threes)
Junior Marvin (Guitar/Vocals)
Judy Mowatt (Backing Vocals – Member of I-Threes)
Alvin Patterson (Percussion)
Bob Marley and the Wailers recordings
Could You Be Loved (Bob Marley)
Island WIP 6610-A (UK 45)
One Drop (Bob Marley)
Island WIP 6610-B (UK 45)
Redemption Song (Bob Marley)
Island: WIP 6653-A (UK 45 PS)
Redemption Song (Band Version)(Bob Marley)
Island: WIP 6653-B ( UK 45 PS)
Sources:
- http://www.wailers.com/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wailers_(reggae_band)
- http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:azfwxqrgldje
- http://incolor.inetnebr.com/cvanpelt/wailersband.html
- http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/426
- http://www.wailers.co.uk/
- http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:azfwxqrgldje~T2