Legendary reggae band the Wailers will perform Friday, March 20, presented by University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The show is set for 8 p.m. in the ASC, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $37.50. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Reggae music has never stopped evolving; but for millions of fans from around the world, it is still defined by the songs of Bob Marley and the Wailers. As the greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition, the Wailers have performed for an estimated 24 million fans; together with Bob Marley they sold 250 million albums worldwide.
The band formed in 1969, when Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh recruited the Barrett brothers, Aston and Carly, to play on hits including “Lively Up Yourself,” “Trenchtown Rock,” “Duppy Conqueror” and others. Wailer and Tosh left two years later, and the Barrett brothers assumed the title of the Wailers and backed Marley on the group’s international breakthrough album, “Natty Dread.”
The history of the band during Marley’s lifetime is well-known; but the Wailers have continued their extraordinary musical mission apart from Marley by performing with Sting, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, the Fugees and Burning Spear, as well as Eve, Jason Mraz, Kenny Chesney and Colbie Caillat. They have also completed numerous tours over the years around the globe, including groundbreaking performances in Africa and the Far East.
The anchor of the band is Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Marley’s trusted lieutenant, who brings indisputable authenticity to the group’s sound and old-school know-how. The band’s current lineup is Barrett on bass; Aston Barrett Jr., organ; Dwayne Danglin, lead vocals; Joshua David, lead vocals and guitar; Cegee Victory, backing vocals; Anthony “Benbow” Creary, drums; Audley “Chizzy” Chisholm, lead guitar; Keith Sterling, keyboards; and Melvin “Ras Mel” Glover, rhythm guitar.
In November, the Wailers participated in “ONE LOVE!” a celebration to mark the 35th anniversary of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ debut at the Apollo Theater in New York City. In two sold-out performances, the band shared the stage with reggae luminaries Third World, Maxi Priest, Bob’s son Kymani Marley and surprise guest Lauryn Hill. Performances of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ material included a finale with all of the singers from the evening. The historic event commemorated a four-night stand in October 1979 where the band also played two shows a night.