Bunny Wailer was 73.
The Wailers have now passed into memory after the death of the pioneering group’s final living member, Bunny Wailer, was confirmed.
Jamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness has offered his ‘deep condolences’ to those close to the reggae legend, summing up the sad news as, ‘a great loss for Jamaica and for reggae’.
There has been no official cause given, but Neville O’Riley Livingston had been regularly in hospital since suffering a stroke last summer.
Among those paying tribute to Bunny on social media was Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Flea, who simply wrote:
“Oh man, god bless Bunny Wailer. What a true rocker and noble man. I love him.”
Bunny Wailer was a childhood friend of Bob Marley, and together first emerged with The Wailers in the mid-60s.
After working closely with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, by the early 70s they were on Island Records and bringing their more sedate, deliberate version of ska to a worldwide audience.