Excerpt from Jamaica Observer Column published Monday, March 08, 2021
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
The passing of the great Bunny Wailer, born Neville O’Riley Livingston, was noted far and wide in the global media. He was Bob Marley’s stepbrother, and together they endured poverty and honed their musical excellence to become, with Peter Tosh, Junior Brathwaite and Beverly Kelso (believed to be the only surviving member), the world-famous Wailers.
My husband Hubie believes Bunny Wailer was the top singer of them all. He cited his memorable compositions Cool Runnings, Ballroom Floor, and Rootsman Skanking. We learned only last week from a Jamaica Observer article quoting Marcia Griffiths, that it was Bunny Wailer who wrote Electric Boogie for her; the classic which inspired that joyful group dance Electric Slide.
His past year was a sad, including the struggle to find his wife who went missing and is yet to be found.
We give thanks that Bunny Wailer’s passing is not the end of the phenomenal Wailers; their art will endure for generations to come. Our condolence to his family. May his soul rest in peace.
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