Aston Francis Barrett, CD ( November 22, 1946 – February 3, 2024), often called “Family Man” or “Fams” for short, was a Jamaican musician and Rastafarian. He was best known as the bandleader of Bob Marley’s backing band, as well as co-producer of the albums, and the man in charge of the overall song arrangements.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Aston Francis Barrett |
| Date of Birth: | November 22, 1946 |
| Place of Birth: | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Nationality: | Jamaican |
| Occupation: | Musician and Rastafarian |
| Net Worth: | $6 millions |
| Children: | 41 Children |
Early Life
Aston Francis Barrett was born on November 22, 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was the fourth of five children. Barrett sang along to soul music as a child, then learned the bass, building his first bass guitar from scratch. As young men, Barrett and his brother Carlton earned a meagre income as welders while doing session work in the evenings.
Career
Barrett was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being the younger brother on drums Carlton “Carly” Barrett) who played with Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Hippy Boys and Lee Perry’s The Upsetters.
Barrett was the mentor and teacher of Robbie Shakespeare of the duo Sly & Robbie. Barrett played a Fender Jazz Bass and used Acoustic 370 and Ampeg SVT bass amplifiers.
In 2006 Barrett filed a lawsuit against Island Records, the Wailers’ label, seeking £60 million in unpaid royalties allegedly due him and his now deceased brother. The lawsuit was dismissed.
The arguments by Island-Universal and the Marley family was that Barrett surrendered his rights to any further royalties in a 1994 settlement in exchange for several hundred thousand dollars.
The judge agreed. As a result he faced about £2 million in legal costs for the trial, forcing him to sell two homes in Jamaica.
Awards and Recognition
- In 2012 he received a Lifetime Achievement award from Bass Player Magazine.
- In 2020 he was selected as number-one by the staff of Bass Player Magazine, in their ranking of: ”20 legendary players who shaped the sound of electric bass.”
- In 2021 he was honoured with the Order of Distinction (Commander class) in the National Honours and Awards on Jamaica’s 59th Anniversary of Independence.
Death
Aston “Family Man” Barrett died in Miami, Florida on February 3, 2024, at the age of 77.
Aston “Family Man” Barrett Net worth
Aston “Family Man” Barrett has an estimated net worth of $6 millions. Aston “Family Man” Barrett was a Jamaican musician and Rastafarian.
Personal Life
Barrett’s “Family Man” nickname came about before he had any children of his own. Aston foresaw his role as a band leader and started to call himself “Family Man”. He subsequently fathered 41 children.
