KINGSTON, Jamaica — Legendary reggae singer Bunny Wailer died in the Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston this morning. He was 73.
Bunny Wailer had been in and out of hospital since his second stroke in July 2020.
Hailing from Trench Town, Bunny Wailer’s given name is Neville O’Riley Livingston. He is a founding member of The Wailers, which included Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
Marley died of cancer in May 11, 1981, while Tosh was killed at his St Andrew home on September 11, 1987.
Bunny Wailer’s albums include Blackheart Man, released in 1976, and Rock ‘n’ Groove which came out five years later. His hit songs include Cool Runnings, Ballroom Floor, Crucial, and Bald Head Jesus. Bunny Wailer is also credited with writing the “Electric Boogie” which he recorded and was also recorded by Marcia Griffiths, the song became one of her biggest hits, with the associated Electric Slide dance.
In 2017, the Jamaican Government awarded Bunny Wailer an Order of Merit, the country’s fourth highest honour. The Government again recognised his contribution to Jamaican music in February 2019 with a Reggae Gold Award.
