Reggae Legend Bunny Wailer Dead At 73

Iconic Reggae singer Bunny Wailer has died today Tuesday (March 2) at a hospital in Kingston. News of the icon’s passing was confirmed by Minister of Culture, Gender and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.

DancehallMag understands that the legendary Reggae artist, who was 73-years-old at the time of his passing, had been ailing for some time.  His manager, Maxine Stowe, told us just last week that Wailer was still undergoing regular rehabilitation sessions after suffering his second stroke in July 2020.

Stowe was optimistic but noted that it was an ‘uphill battle’.

Minister Grange, in a statement today, said Wailer passed away at 9am today at Andrew’s Memorial Hospital in Kingston.  “We mourn the passing of this outstanding singer, songwriter and percussionist and celebrate his life and many accomplishments.”

“We remain grateful for the role that Bunny Wailer played in the development and popularity of Reggae music across the world,” she added.

“His son Abijah said to me this morning that ‘Bunny Wailer cannot die, he has transitioned’,” the statement continued.

Born Neville O’Riley Livingston in Nine Mile in St. Ann, Bunny Wailer met Bob Marley as a child and the two would later go on to form The Wailers with Peter Tosh.

Bunny left the Wailers in 1973 to pursue a solo career when he became more focused on his faith.  He identified with the Rastafari movement and was primarily focused on his roots style of music which was in keeping with his often political and spiritual messages.

Marley died of cancer on May 11, 1981, while Tosh was killed at his St Andrew home on September 11, 1987.

Meanwhile, Stowe told DancehallMag last week of plans to make Bunny Wailer’s solo catalog  — which has been off the market for at least two decades — available on all the digital service providers. The singer’s hit songs include Cool Runnings, Ballroom Floor, Crucial, and Bald Head Jesus.

Bunny is a three-time Grammy Award winner and in 2017 received an Order of Merit (OM), the fourth-highest honor in Jamaica, for his contribution to popular music.

Stowe also confirmed last week that the Wailer family was still searching for Bunny’s missing wife Jean Watt.

The family is offering one million Jamaican dollars for her recovery or any valid information leading to the safe return of Sister Jean. Ms. Jean Watt was last seen walking along the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, in May 2020.