‘A great loss for reggae’: Shaggy leads tributes to legendary Bunny Wailer

Kingston-born dancehall megastar Shaggy has declared the death of fellow Jamaican Bunny Wailer “one of the lowest moments in the history of our culture”.

Wailer, real name Neville O’Riley Livingston, died in hospital in his home country on Tuesday, having suffered a stroke in 2020. He was 73. The reggae superstar from Kingston was the last surviving original member of The Wailers, whose other famous members were Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. 

Bunny Wailer’s death a sad day for reggae

Kingston-born Shaggy, above, is deeply saddened by the loss of reggae icon Bunny Wailer. Image: BANG Showbiz

In a social media post on Tuesday, Boombastic hitmaker Shaggy called Wailer’s death a “great loss for reggae and the Jamaican people, and reggae fans around the world”.

Shaggy, 52, said: “It’s clear that 2021 will not be a better year than 2020. This is one of the lowest moment in the history of our culture.

“Bunny Livingston, aka Bunny Wailer, founding member and sole survivor of the trio the Wailers, is no longer with us. You have made us proud, king. Rest well.”

Busta Rhymes honours Bunny Wailer

Jamaican-American hip-hop star Busta Rhymes was also moved by Wailer’s death.

Alongside a picture of the late music legend, Rhymes, 48, wrote on Instagram: “Rest well to the icon and legend Bunny Wailer.”

Jamaican culture ministry confirms icon’s death

Wailer’s death was confirmed by Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange and his manager Maxine Stowe.

In a statement, Grange said: “At the request of the family, I announce with deepest sadness the passing of patriarch, brother, friend and Jamaican music icon, the great Bunny Wailer.

“Bunny Wailer, whose given name is Neville O’Riley Livingston, passed away at 09:00 today at Andrew’s Memorial Hospital in Kingston. We mourn the passing of this outstanding singer, songwriter and percussionist and celebrate his life and many accomplishments.”

‘Bunny Wailer cannot die, he has transitioned’

Grange said: “We remember with great pride how Bunny, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh took reggae music to the four corners of the earth. Today, the last surviving Wailer has passed.

“His son Abijah said to me this morning that ‘Bunny Wailer cannot die, he has transitioned’. What Bunny Wailer has done for reggae, as one of the pioneers and standard-bearers of our country’s music, lives on. Let us hold dear Bunny’s music, his memory and his family.”

Wailer was famous for performing tracks like Simmer Down and Stir It Up throughout his storied career. He won three Grammys and was honoured with Jamaica’s Order of Merit in 2017.

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