Popular reggae music singer Bunny Wheeler passed away at the age of 73: National Public Radio

Singer, songwriter, and percussionist Bunny Wailer, a reggae music icon, died in Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday morning. He was 73 years old. Wheeler was a founding member of The Wailers, along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

His death was initially reported by Jamaica Foreman The newspaper said he had been ill since suffering a second stroke in July 2020.

she was Has been confirmed Posted by Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Sex, Entertainment and Sports, who said in a statement: “I announce with great sadness the death of the Patriarch, brother, friend and Jamaican music icon, the Great Rabbit … the departure of this wonderful singer, songwriter and percussionist, celebrating his life and many accomplishments. We are grateful for the role that Bunny Wailer played in the development and popularity of reggae music all over the world. “

Wheeler Neville O’Reilly Livingston was born April 10, 1947, and literally To grow With Marley since early childhood: Marley’s mother and Wheeler’s father joined families in Kingston, and they have a daughter together.

In 1963, Wheeler and Marley formed The Wailing Wailers with their friend Peter Tosh. Singers Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, and Sherry Smith joined the group, but left within months to a few years.

Even as The Wailers achieved international success, touring England and the United States, Wailer was also recording singles in his own right, and formed his own record label, as Marley and Tosh.

By 1974, both Wailer and Tosh had left The Wailers, in part because the music industry seemed to be so focused on making Marley a single star. Wheeler’s subsequent songs included “Cool Runnings” and “Ballroom Floor” in addition to his 1976 album, Black heart man.

Wheeler won three Grammy In the early 1990s; In 2017, he was awarded the Jamaican Medal of Merit, one of the country’s highest Medal of Honor.

In a 2016 interview in New York – during his first tour of the United States in more than two decades – Weiler told NPR that he hoped to “continue singing ska, rock and reggae. This is my legacy: to sing to you people and I know you people when I knew singing this music.” “.