Carlton Barrett’s Contribution to Reggae Music

Carlton Barrett was a Jamaican reggae drummer who was a member of Bob Marley & The Wailers. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 4, 1950. Barrett was an important part of the Wailers’ sound, helping to create the drumming style that would come to be known as the “rockers” beat.

Barrett’s drumming can be heard on some of the Wailers’ most iconic songs, including “No Woman

Introduction

Carlton Barrett was a Jamaican reggae drummer who was a member of Bob Marley & The Wailers. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on October 17, 1950, and began playing drums at an early age. Barrett was part of The Wailers band from 1974 until his death in 1987.

As the drummer for The Wailers, Barrett helped to define the sound of reggae music. He was known for his innovative style of drumming, which incorporated elements of rock and roll and African rhythms. Barrett’s drumming can be heard on some of The Wailers’ most iconic songs, including “No Woman, No Cry,” “Stir It Up,” and “Get Up, Stand Up.”

Barrett’s contribution to reggae music was recognized posthumously when he was inducted into the Reggae Hall of Fame in 2009.

Early life and musical influences

Born on October 21, 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica, Barrett was one of four children raised by his single mother. Despite growing up in a musical household – his mother was a singer and his uncle was the famous jazz trumpeter Joe Harriott – Barrett did not initially take an interest in music. It was not until he started working with his older brother, drummer Lloyd “Bread” Barrett, that he began to develop a love for reggae. The two would often play together at local clubs and dancehalls.

It was during this time that Barrett began to develop his own distinctive drumming style, which blended the African rhythms of reggae with the salsa beats he heard while growing up in Jamaica. This unique style would later become one of the hallmark sounds of reggae music.

In 1970, Barrett joined the successful reggae band The Wailers as their unofficial third drummer (the band already had two percussionists at the time). He quickly established himself as an important member of the group, contributing not only his drumming skills but also his songwriting talents. Several of The Wailers’ most famous songs, including “Buffalo Soldier” and “Get Up Stand Up,” were co-written by Barrett.

Barrett remained with The Wailers until 1974 when he left the group to pursue a solo career. He released his first album, Mystic Man, in 1979. Though it was not a commercial success, the album showcased Barrett’s versatility as a musician and helped to solidify his reputation as one of reggae’s premiere drummers.

Barrett’s musical style

Barrett was known for his simple, yet effective drumming style. He typically used a minimal amount of drums and cymbals, which gave his playing a very clean sound. He also had a very strong sense of groove, which is evident in many of the classic Bob Marley & The Wailers recordings he played on.

In addition to being an excellent drummer, Barrett was also a skilled percussionist. He often used congas, bongos, and timbales to add flavor to the band’s recordings and live performances. Barrett was also known for his use of the “one drop” rhythm, which was a signature element of Bob Marley’s musical style.

The Wailers and Bob Marley

Carlton Barrett was a Jamaican drummer who was an integral member of The Wailers, the band founded by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. He was also the older brother of Wailers bassist Aston “Familyman” Barrett. As The Wailers’ drummer and main producer, Barrett helped define the sound of roots reggae.

Barrett began his career as a young teenager playing in various bands around his hometown of Kingston. In 1969, he joined The Wailers along with his brother Aston. The Barrett brothers’ hard-hitting style helped to define the sound of reggae and make The Wailers one of the most popular and influential bands in Jamaica.

In addition to his work with The Wailers, Barrett also worked as a producer on many of Bob Marley’s solo albums, including Exodus (1977) and Survival (1979). He continued to perform and record with Marley until the singer’s untimely death in 1981.

After Marley’s death, Barrett continued to tour and record with The Wailers until his own tragic death in 1987. He was only 36 years old.

Barrett’s drumming style was unique and influential, helping to shape the sound of reggae music for generations to come. His contribution to the music world is still felt today, more than 30 years after his passing.

Barrett’s solo career

In 1978, Barrett embarked on a solo career, releasing his self-titled debut album. The album was co-produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry and featured the tracks “Evil Ways”, “Flat Foot Hustlin'” and “John Saw That Number”. Perry also produced Barrett’s second album, Back Against the Wall, which was released in 1979. The album featured the tracks “Mr. Music Man”, “Can’t Stand It” and “Eastman Skank”.

Later years and death

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Barrett continued to play with the Wailers as they embarked on international tours, including stops in Japan and Europe. He also played on some of Marley’s solo albums, including Survival (1979) and Uprising (1980).

Barrett’s last performances with the Wailers came in September 1980, when they played a series of shows in New York City to promote Survival. After the final show, at Madison Square Garden, Barrett was fired from the band by Marley. The reasons for his dismissal have never been clear, but it has been speculated that Barrett’s drinking problem was a factor.

Barrett continued to play reggae music after leaving the Wailers. He formed his own band, the Roots Radics, which became one of Jamaica’s most popular backing bands in the 1980s. He also recorded several albums as a solo artist and worked as a producer.

Barrett’s health began to decline in the late 1980s, and he died of cancer on April 17, 1987, at age 36.

Legacy

Carlton Barrett was a Jamaican drummer who was an influential member of Bob Marley & The Wailers. He was also a member of Peter Tosh & The Wailers and The Upsetters.

Barrett was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1952. He was the younger brother of Wailers bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett. The Barrett brothers began playing music together in the early 1960s. They joined The Wailers in 1966, when the group was formed by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Livingston (later known as Bunny Wailer).

Barrett became the band’s primary drummer and helped to shape the group’s distinctive sound. He played on many of The Wailers’ most famous songs, including “No Woman, No Cry,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Jamming,” and “One Love.” He also appeared on Peter Tosh’s solo albums, Equal Rights and Bush Doctor.

After Marley’s death in 1981, Barrett continued to play with The Wailers until his own death in 1987. His drumming style was characterized by a powerful groove and a willingness to experiment with new sounds and rhythms. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Wailers in 1994.