Neville O’Riley Livingston – best known as Bunny Wailer – has died aged 73, having inspired generations as one of the standard-bearers of reggae music.
Performing alongside his friends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, he was a founding member of The Wailers.
Livingston was the last surviving member of the pioneering group, following Marley’s death from cancer in 1981, and Tosh’s subsequent murder in 1987.
The legendary singer died on March 2 in the Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.
His manager, Maxine Stowe, confirmed the sad news in a statement shared with Observer Online.
Bunny Wailer was a founding member of the iconic reggae group The Wailers (Image: Getty)
She said: “Yes. He died about 8:00 this morning. I’m still right here with him.”
Jamaica’s Culture Minister, Olivia Grange, also confirmed his passing, though his cause of death has yet to be reported.
In 2018, he suffered a minor stroke, which reportedly affected his speech in the years that followed.
Livingston had reportedly been in and out of hospital since last summer, having suffered a second stroke in July.
Bunny Wailer earned three Grammys over the course of his career as a performer (Image: Birmingham Post)
Receiving Jamaica’s Order Of Merit in 2017, he won three Grammys over the course of his celebrated career.
He was also awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2012, which is the country’s fifth-highest order.
He was childhood friends with Bob Marley, forming The Wailing Wailers together in Trench Town with Tosh back in 1963.
Together, they recorded some of the most renowned rocksteady tracks in history, such as Simmer Down, Lonesome Feeling and Thank You Lord.
Bunny and Bob Marley were childhood friends in Jamaica (Image: Getty Images)
After leaving the group, he went on to enjoy a solo career in the 70s, experimenting with disco and dancehall-style music.
His 1991 album Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley earned him a Grammy award, as did his later releases Crucial! Roots Classics and Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley’s 50th Anniversary.
Releasing over 10 albums over the years, he was also featured on the album True Love by Toots, which won a 2004 Grammy.
Since news of his death broke, greats of the music world have taken to their platforms to celebrate his legacy, thanking Bunny Wailer for the music.
Fellow Grammy winner Estelle wrote: “SIP bunny wailer.”
“Rip Bunny Wailer. respect for all the great work you did for reggae music world wide,” added Jamaican singer Kranium.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness shared a similar tribute, writing: “My deep condolences to the family, friends and fans of legendary Reggae artiste, Neville Livingston, also known as Bunny Wailer, JahB.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
