Bunny Wailer – the reggae icon and founding member of the original Wailers trio with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh – died in Jamaica.
Bunny, whose real name is Neville Livingston, died Tuesday at Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston … according to his manager, Maxine Stowe. The cause of his death has not been reported, but he has been dealing with serious medical problems since he suffered his second stroke in 2020.
Born in Jamaica, Livingston befriended Marley at a young age and they formed the legendary reggae group with Tosh. Although Marley and Tosh were the main singers and songwriters … Bunny was known for his incredible harmonies in his songs.
In 1965, the trio released their debut album, “The Wailing Wailers”, before going on a hiatus and reuniting in the 1970s. Around that time, Bunny wrote and recorded one of his most famous songs, “Dreamland” … which he later released on his solo album, “Blackheart Man”, in 1976.
The Wailers achieved international fame in 1973 with the release of “Catch a Fire” and the following album “Burnin ‘” … but that would eventually lead the group to split up.
Bunny and Tosh left the band in 1974, but Bunny would be forever linked to the rise of reggae along with Marley … and he himself had a successful solo career. He would work with Jamaican musicians, Cunning and Robbie, and produce albums by several other artists.
Bunny won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1991 for “Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley” and would win two more … including another tribute album in 1997.
As for other awards … he received the Order of Merit from the government of Jamaica in 2017 for his contributions and achievements. Bunny did his last tour in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of “Blackheart Man”.
He was the last remaining member of OG Wailers. Marley died of cancer in 1981 and Tosh was murdered by armed men in an attempted robbery at his home in 1987.
Bunny was 73 years old.
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