Bob Marley & The Wailers bassist Aston "Familyman" Barrett has died after a "long battle" with illness.

Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Olivia Grande, said on X (ex-Twitter) that he had died at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida, the same city where Bob Marley died in 1981.

Born on November 22, 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica, Aston Barrett was "a pioneer, a mentor and above all a true family man", write the Wailers on Facebook. His nickname "Familyman" came from the fact that he was said to have several dozen children.

"The world has lost not only an iconic musician and the backbone of the Wailers, but also a remarkable human being whose legacy is as immense as his talent," the reggae group hailed on the social network. "Aston's music brought joy to millions (of people) and his influence on reggae is beyond measure. He was a man of few words, but his lyrics were full of wisdom, kindness and love. His bass lines were not only the foundation of the Wailers' music, but also the beat of a genre that touched hearts across the globe ».

The Wailers asked that their privacy and that of Familyman's family be respected.

In 2006, Aston Barrett sued Island Records, claiming £60 million in unpaid royalties. However, he lost the case. He put an end to his musical career in 2019.