The Wailers Missing Marley, But Going Strong

Author: Mike Csazar

When one thinks of reggae music, the first group that comes to mind is most certainly Bob Marley and the Wailers. The band has been through more than most, considering the famous breakup in the early 1970s when the founders of the band, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Maley split up. Tosh would go on to have a tremendously successful career of his own, leaving behind Marley and the Wailers, as most tend to think of them. After Bob's death in 1980, the band was obviously in turmoil, having lost arguably one of the most innovative and personally inspiring musicians of the 20th century. Nevertheless original members of The Wailers have continued on, performing the band's original songs. Wednesday, Nov. 28, The Wailers brought their world-famous music to an absolutely jam-packed Higher Ground.

It was clear that Burlington was enthused to have such legends in town. The show was sold out well in advance of the doors opening and I have never seen so many people in Higher Ground. Chanting began long before the band emerged from the left stage door, and the second that the band emerged, the crowd erupted.

The set began with two all-instrumental songs that were clearly just an appetizer for better things to come. Considering the legal battles surrounding the rights to the Marley estate, the songs that the band would perform were a bit of a surprise. The band played some of the best Wailers songs of all (in this fan's opinion). One or two songs were played from almost every Marley and the Wailers album, from their first album "Catch a Fire" to later album such as "Survival." Songs included "Lively Up Yourself," "Wake up and Live" and "3 O'Clock Roadblock (Rebel Music)." In addition to these favorites, the band performed several of the less well-known Wailers songs, but no doubt some of their best works ever. Songs such as "Crazy Baldheads" and "Zion Train" no doubt pleased the most demanding of Wailers fans.

I think it must be said that despite the brilliance and pure energy of the songs, it was, in a way, sad to see them performed. The band was there, performing these revolutionary songs about freedom, peace, and most importantly the religion of Rastafarianism. And yet the man that started this revolution, who fought for political peace in the 1970s in Jamaica, was not there. These feelings were perhaps strongest when the band performed "War." This song's lyrics are actually a speech that was given by former king of Ethopia Haile Selassie to the United Nations. The way that Marley arranged music around the speech is sheer brilliance and the message is nothing short of profound. Especially given what is happening in the world right now, it was a most appropriate song. The first lines: "Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war. That until there no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation. Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, everywhere is war. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regards to race, everywhere is war."

For those interested in exactly who is in The Wailers these days, I believe that I have found an accurate list. The lineup has certainly had many changes over the years, but the most current information that The Wailers News has in terms of the lineup include: Aston "Familyman" Barrett on bass, Al Anderson on guitar, Earl "Wya" Lindo on organ, Earl Fitzsimmons on keyboard, Gary "Nesta' Pine on lead vocals, Drummie Zeb on drums, two female back-up singers, a percussionist and a saxophonist. In the recent months, the line-up has included Everton Gayle on saxophone. Pine's vocals could easily pass for those of Marley himself, and the music was performed almost exactly as you'd find it on the original records. How one sees that fact is really up to the individual.

The Wailers clearly put on an outstanding show. I saw it more as a tribute to Marley himself, since nearly all the songs are credited as being written by him. The show was absolutely packed with people of all ages (well, 18 and over that is) and in fact, too much so. It was impossible to even clap between songs, let alone dance freely. Perhaps this is just another indicator of how much people still love Marley's music today. All in all I feel honored to have seen men perform that collaborated with Marley's. The story of how this band emerged from the Trenchtown ghetto in the late 1960s to change the world through their music is truly an amazing one. To see that tradition carried on is something to remember.