Aston Barrett
| Aston Barrett | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aston Francis Barrett |
| Also known as | Family Man |
| Born |
22 November 1946 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, musician, arranger, record producer |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, percussions |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Associated acts | Bob Marley & The Wailers Burning Spear Lee "Scratch" Perry King Tubby Augustus Pablo Peter Tosh |
Aston Francis Barrett (born 22 November 1946), often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, is a Jamaican musician and Rastafarian.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Aston "Family Man" Barrett was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being the younger brother on drums Carlton "Carly" Barrett) who played with Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Hippy Boys, and Lee Perry's The Upsetters. He was the bandleader of Marley's backing band, as well as co-producer of the albums, and the man in charge of the overall song arrangements.
Aston continues to tour with and lead The Wailers Band. He has great support from Marley's fan base to this day, despite his legal wrangling with the Marley family.
Aston was the mentor and teacher of Robbie Shakespeare of the duo Sly & Robbie.
In 2012 he received a Lifetime Achievement award from Bass Player magazine.
Barrett plays a Fender Jazz Bass guitar, Acoustic 370 bass amplifier. David Eden Tour 800.
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.
Barrett's "Family Man" nickname came about before he had any children of his own. Aston foresaw his role as a band leader and started to call himself "Family Man". He has fathered 41 children since.
Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie, who is estimated to have played bass on 200,000 recordings):
"Well…what can I say? He is the man (laughter). Just the way the man plays the bass, you know. There are gun fighters and there are gun fighters, seen? I can't tell you nothing more. He is a master for me. I have had help and influences from other people, but I have to give it mostly to Family Man."
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Wikipedia