Music icon Bob Marley started the Wailers. They are the most recognized reggae band in the world, and tonight they are 90 minutes away. The Wailers will perform in Tuscaloosa, Ala., at the Jupiter Bar and Grill. Tickets for the show go on sale at 9 p.m. at the door.
Aston “Familyman” Barrett, bassist and co-founder of the Wailers, has led the Wailers since Marley’s death from brain cancer. The Wailers popularized the musical genre of reggae in the 1960s and have sold over 250 million records worldwide. They are on their 30th world tour.
Several members of the present Wailers are original members who toured and recorded with Bob Marley. The Tuscaloosa show will include such hit songs as “Buffalo Soldier,” “Redemption Song” and “Get Up Stand Up.” The Wailers’ live show consists of more or less, about 20 songs.
Gary “Nesta” Pines replaced Marley as vocalist. Fan notes, from the Washington Post Company, say Pines morphs into Marley onstage.
Marley knew how to jam-the first three letters in Jamaica spell jam. Dreadlocks, pot smoking, anti-government and good times are all epithets of reggae.
A group of Starkville residents are geared up for a night of reggae jamming. Rick Welch, the owner of Ricks Caf? American, gave most of his staff the night off to go see the show. As a result, the large bar will be closed and only the sports bar will be open at Rick’s tonight.
Welch and an MSU graduate own the Jupiter Bar and Grill.
“Join us; you’ll see some familiar faces,” Welch said.
Reggae originated in Jamaica in the 1960s overtaking the “ska” scene in popularity. Peter Tosh, a member of the original Wailers once said the band got its name from the word wail, which means to cry. He said the band played the music to express the feelings of helpless people who lived in Jamaican ghettos.
Marley and the Wailers’ album “Exodus” was named Time magazine’s album of the century in 1999.
The Wailers recently recorded “Makisupa Policeman” on a charity Phish cover album titled “Sharin in the Groove: Celebrating the Music of Phish.”
Opening for the Wailers is Starkville resident Joe Lowder’s band, Blue Tattoo. Lowder is also promoting the show.
Lowder used to work for MSU Music Makers and is responsible for bringing the Counting Crows and Live to MSU.
The Jupiter Bar is located on University Drive near the University of Alabama, and tickets to the concert cost $15.