RIP Bunny Wailer

Neville Livingston, better known as Bunny Wailer, the last of the original Wailing Wailers, died yesterday, five weeks short of his 74th birthday. Bunny, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh formed The Wailers in 1963, releasing dozens of singles and six LPs, before splitting in 1974, leaving Marley to carry the band name on into legend.

Bunny continued to record prolifically as a solo artist, broadening and experimenting with his sound by incorporating elements of dancehall, electro and rap into his music. It's that initial clutch of post-Wailers albums between 1976-81 that are absolutely crucial though. Blackheart Man, Protest, Struggle, In I Father's House, Sings the Wailers and Rock 'n' Groove, plus a bunch of terrific non-album singles, are all essential additions to any reggae collection. 

Bunny Wailer - Rise & Shine 

Red Gold & Green #24 - Bunny Wailer

Following the 1973 release of their sixth LP, 'Burnin'', founding members Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh left The Wailers, allowing Bob Marley to assume full control of the band and the rest, as they say, is history. Both Tosh and Livingston (trading as Bunny Wailer) issued debut solo albums in 1976 and Bunny continues to enjoy a successful career to this day. Tragically, Peter Tosh was brutally tortured and murdered in 1987. In a career as long as Bunny's, it's no surprise that the quality of his output has ebbed and flowed somewhat over the years, but you're on very safe ground with any one of his first half dozen LPs. 'Struggle' is the title track from his third, released in Jamaica in 1978 and to a wider world the following year.

We've got to stand as one 

 For together we are strong 

 Divided we're defeated 

 That's why we can't be separated 

 You've got to get involved 

 'Cause there's a problem to solve 

 Don't be no opportunist 

 Don't find yourself a racist 

Bunny Wailer - Struggle