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Senior Arts Reporter
Zimbabwe’s reggae music fraternity has joined the rest of world in mourning the loss of reggae music icon Bunny Wailer who died on Tuesday at Andrew’s Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.
He was 73.
Wailer, whose real name is Neville O’Riley Livingston, was an original member of reggae group The Wailers along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
The cause of his death is unknown, but he had been in hospital since having a stroke in July 2020.
Wailer’s death was mourned worldwide as people shared pictures, music and memories of the artist with tributes have already poured in for the musician.
Local arts and music critic Tavonga Mufandikwa affectionately known as, “Ras TK Mafundikwa” described the late Bunny Wailer as a “unifier”, who through his music united different nations.
“Bunny Wailer was an iconic founding father of reggae music and even after he lost his friends, Peter and Bob, he continued to churn out hit after hit. His music also bordered on black consciousness and the total emancipation of the African race. He leaves a void that is not fillable but we all rejoice in celebrating the solid legacy he leaves behind,” he said.
“There is no reggae story that can be told which is devoid of the name Bunny Wailer. It will be an incomplete story. May his soul rest in peace,” said Mafundikwa.
ZBC, Classic263 Station Manager, Terrence Mapurisana who has a radio programme called “Reggae Talk” said Wailer is one of the reggae musicians who popularised the original genre in Zimbabwe.
“Somehow his music helped establish ourselves on the popular radio reggae programs, Reggae Talk, Reggae Rhythms on the then Radio 1, now Classic 263. One thing that made Bunny Wailer so popular not only in Zimbabwe, but the world over was his percussion instruments, which was a critical part of his harmony style in all his music.
This is evident in many of his songs including his rendition of Zimbabwe (originally done by Bob Marley), Black Heartman, Wirly wirly Girly, Cool Runnings, Ballroom Floor and Mellow Mood,” he said.
Jamaican Government and the Opposition also paid their tribute to the reggae icon.
Online Reporter