Bob Marley & The Wailers Bassist Aston Barrett Dead at 77: What Was His Cause of Death

Bob Marley & The Wailers' bassist Aston Barrett has died. He was 77.

Aston's family shared a social media post on Saturday in which they confirmed the "Family Man" passing. His daughter Aiesha Barrett also posted a separate statement on her own account, expressing heartbreak as she faced the loss before her birthday.

Aston Barrett Dead at 77

On Instagram, Aiesha called her birthday this year the "worst one" after receiving the bad news.

"You was supposed to wait on me today daddy. I told you I was coming back to spend my birthday with you. What am I supposed to do now! Why?????????? Why today," she wrote.

She ended her post with a heartfelt message in which she praised her father for being "the stronger soldier" she had ever known by fighting a hard fight in his "long medical battle."

Barrett's death occurred weeks before the highly anticipated release of the biopic "Bob Marley: One Love," where his son, Aston Barrett Jr., will play his role.

Meanwhile, Marley's Instagram page shared a tribute message following Aston's death.

"A pioneer, unique, trendsetter , revolutionary in the musical space and most of all as his name implies, a true family man. Condolences to his family. JAH comfort them in this time of grief. The legacy, joy and spirit of Fams lives on. Rastafari," part of the statement read.

Olivia Grange, Jamaica's minister for culture, also delivered the news on X, sharing that Aston died at the University of Miami Hospital in Florida.

A Look Back at Aston Barrett's Career

Aston showed his love for music when he was a child by singing along to soul music on the radio. He then switch to the bass, and it inspired him to create his first bass guitar using an old ashtray, a curtain rod and a plywood.

Carlton and his brother played with several musicians and groups for years, including the Hippy Boys and The Upsetters.

Aston officially joined Marley's band in the 1970s and became the leader of the backing group.

The National Honors and Awards acknowledged his contributions during Jamaica's 59th Anniversary of Independence in 2021 by awarding him the Order of Distinction (Commander class).