The Wailers

The Wailers are most commonly known for being Bob Marley's backing band. Formed in 1963 as a ska/rocksteady group from Kingston, they originally consisted of Bob Marley, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, Bunny Livingston (aka Bunny Wailer), Peter McIntosh (aka Peter Tosh), and Cherry Smith. After undergoing several name changes, including The Teenagers, The Wailing Rudeboys, and The Wailing Wailers, the band finally settled on The Wailers. In 1966 several members left the group, leaving the trio of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh. They would release two albums -- Catch A Fire (1972) and Burnin' (1973) -- before breaking up in 1974.



Marley continued recording as "Bob Marley and The Wailers". His new backing band included the brothers Carlton and Aston Barrett, Junior Marvin, Al Anderson, Tyrone Downie, Earl Lindo, and Alvin Patterson. Female backing vocals were provided by the "I Threes", consisting of Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, and Marley's wife, Rita. Bob Marely and The Wailers released 8 more albums (one posthumously) before Marley's death in 1981.