Aston "Family Man" Barrett
Background information
Also known as	Family Man, Fams
Born	November 22, 1946 (1946-11-22) (age 61) Kingston, Jamaica
Genre(s)	Reggae
Occupation(s)	Songwriter, Musician
Instrument(s)	Bass
Years active	1960s - 1980s
Associated acts	Bob Marley & The Wailers and The Wailers Band

Aston Francis Barrett (born November 22, 1946, Kingston, Jamaica), often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, is a Jamaican bass player and Rastafarian. is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The City of Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Reggae is a music genre developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... “Instrumentalist” redirects here. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981), better known as Bob Marley, was a singer, guitarist, songwriter and Rastafarian from the ghettos of Jamaica. ... When Bob Marley originally started singing with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh on the album Catch A Fire and Burnin ; they were known simply as The Wailers. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The City of Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Haile Selassie I The Rastafari movement, or Rasta, is a new religious movement[1] that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, called Jah[2] or Jah Rastafari. ...

He was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being Carlton "Carlie" Barrett) who played with Bob Marley and The Wailers and Lee Perry's The Upsetters. It has been stated that Aston was the 'leader' of the backing band and responsible for many, if not all bass lines on Bob Marley's greatest hits, as well as having been active in co-producing Marley's albums and responsible for most overall song arrangements. He is an influential bassist, and Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers amongst many other famed bassists cite him as an influence. He was the mentor of famed reggae session bassist Robbie Shakespeare of the duo Sly & Robbie and is considered one of the elder statesmen of reggae bass guitar playing. Carlton Barrett Carlton Carly Barrett was the originator of the one drop rhythm, a percussive drumming style. ... This article is about the reggae musician. ... When Bob Marley originally started singing with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh on the album Catch A Fire and Burnin ; they were known simply as The Wailers. ... Lee Scratch Perry, The Upsetter in Dub Lee Scratch Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry March 20, 1936) is one of the most influential people in the development of reggae and dub music in Jamaica. ... The Upsetters were a young Jamaican quartet, originating in the 1960s The band included guitarist Alva Lewis, organist Glen Adams and brothers Aston Family Man Barrett and Carlton Barrett, on bass and drums respectively. ... Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962 in Melbourne, Australia), better known by his stage name Flea, is the bassist for the alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. ... Sly and Robbie are probably reggaes most prolific and long lasting production team. ... Sly and Robbie are probably reggaes most prolific and long lasting production team. ...

His limited solo output is held in high esteem by reggae aficionados, and Aston continues to tour with and lead The Wailers Band, who carry Marley's torch in the music world by performing his songs with several original band members. Aston has strong support from Marley's fan base to this day, despite his legal wrangling with the Marley family. When Bob Marley originally started singing with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh on the album Catch A Fire and Burnin ; they were known simply as The Wailers. ...

Legal battle

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.^[1] Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Island Records is a record label that was founded by British record producers in Jamaica. ...

Trivia

Family Man's nickname comes from the numerous children he fathered.^{[citation needed]}

Family Man worked as a welder and bicycle mechanic before his musical career.^{[citation needed]} Aston started playing bass by creating a home bass from an upside down wash pan attached by fishing cord to a stick, while Carlton used an upside down cheese pan as his drum set. They would play Skatalites music with their neighbor Robert Hemmings who blew an alto sax. As they played their music crowds would gather on the clinic wall to listen to this trio. Back in the day Carlton always said he would be the greatest drummer in Jamaica. Robert Hemmings gave Aston a guitar which he proceeded to remove two strings to create his first bass and the rest is history.^{[citation needed]} This article needs copyediting (checking for proper English spelling, grammar, usage, etc. ...

References