One Love: Aston Barrett Jr on keeping the Wailers' legacy alive
Aston Barrett Jr will play in Cork and Dublin with the current incarnation of the Wailers.
Aston Barrett Jr is cool like the other side of the pillow. It’s a genetic thing. His maternal grandfather, Joe Higgs, was known as the “Godfather of Reggae”. His father, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, who passed away last year, was band leader of The Wailers. Barrett Jr’s uncle, Carlton “Carly” Barrett, was also a long-time drummer in the band.
Barrett Jr answered the call himself early. “My father came to my high school graduation, and my graduation gift was to go on tour,” says Barrett Jr. “My dad was like, ‘Okay, you're gonna apply for Berkeley School of Music, but go to Berkeley after you have some experience on tour.’ So, that's where it started. I remember it didn't feel overwhelming because my father, the original, was there so I had him as my guide. He was Solomon.”
