Remembering: Bunny Wailer

Greeting Sisters and Brothers, and all readers and viewers of the Black Star News. In this special installment of the Black Star News’ “From The Art Archive,” we honor the memory of one of the original members of the legendary Wailers Reggae group: Bunny Wailer–born Neville O’Riley Livingston who passed on this week, on March 2, 2021, at the age of 73.

From The Art Archive features music, poetry, and any artistic expression created by artists of African descent. Because of the strong Pan-African leanings of the Black Star News, we showcase artists who exhibit that sensibility–many of whom will not be household names in the Hollywood and MTV mold.

Along with his childhood friend, Bob Marley, and Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer took the world by storm with the 1973 release of the acclaimed ‘Catch a Fire’ album. Bunny Wailer was a founding member of The Wailers band before he and Peter Tosh departed to pursue their own solo careers.

It goes without saying that Bunny Wailer was a force himself, even though he is the lesser know of The Wailers big three, which of course includes Peter Tosh and Bob Marley. Bunny Wailer was a three-time Grammy winner garnering awards for best Reggae album in 1991 for the album ‘Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley,‘ in 1995 for ‘Crucial! Roots Classics,’ and again in 1997 for ‘Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley’s 50th Anniversary.’

The Black Star News remembers this outstanding icon of Reggae fondly and offers this From The Art Archive Bunny Wailer classic song ‘Rise and Shine’ in this entertaining live cut of an inspiring song.

Live on Brother Bunny Wailer!