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Bunny Wailer was a singer, songwriter and percussionist, born Neville O'Riley Livingston on April 10, 1947 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was founder and an original member of ska, rocksteady and reggae group The Wailers (formed 1963) along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The young Livingston spent his earliest years in the village of Nine Mile in St. Ann Parish. It was there that he first met Bob Marley, and the two toddlers became fast friends. The boys both came from one parent families; Livingston was being brought up by his father, Marley by his mother. Later, Bunny's father Thaddeus "Toddy" Livingston lived with Bob Marley's mother Cedella Booker and had a daughter with her named Pearl Livingston. Peter Tosh had a son, Andrew Tosh, with another of Bunny's sisters, Shirley, making Andrew his nephew
Livingston was underused as a writer and lead vocalist in The Wailers compared with Marley and Tosh. When Wailers regularly changed producers during the early reggae years in the late 1960s, Livingston continued to be a key part of the group's distinctive harmonies. He sang however lead on "Dreamland" (a cover of El Tempos' My Dream Island, which soon became Bunny's signature song), "Riding High", "Brainwashing" and on one verse of the Wailers' Impressions-like "Keep On Moving", both produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. In 1971, he recorded the original version of Pass It On
Bunny Wailer toured with the Wailers in England and the United States, but soon became reluctant to leave Jamaica. He and Tosh became more marginalized in the group as the Wailers became an international success, and attention was increasingly focused on Marley. Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh subsequently left the Wailers to pursue solo careers. They were replaced by the I Threes, a move to broaden the base of success for the Wailers in the non-Jamaican market.
After leaving the Wailers, Bunny became more focused on his spiritual faith. He identified with the Rastafari movement, as did the other Wailers. He self-produced a number of his recordings after striking out on his own. He has also written much of his own material as well as re-recording a number of cuts from the Wailers catalogue. Bunny Wailer has recorded primarily in the roots style, in keeping with his often political and spiritual messages. The album "Blackheart Man" is a good example of his roots reggae style and the dub version,Dub d*sco vol 1 equally magnificent if hard to find. "Sings the Wailers" successfully reworks many of The Wailers songs with the backing of top Jamaican musicians, Sly and Robbie. He has also had success recording in the typically apolitical, more pop dancehall style. He has outlived his contemporaries in a culture where death by violence is commonplace.
Bunny Wailer has won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1990, 1994 and 1996.
Bunny Wailer died on 2 March 2021.
ALBUMS WITH ORIGINAL MATERIAL
* ''Blackheart Man'' (1976) [[Island Records|Island]]/Solomonic
* ''Protest'' (1977) Island/Solomonic
* ''Struggle'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.1'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''In I Father's House'' (1979) Solomonic
* ''Bunny Wailer Sings the Wailers'' (1980) Island/Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.2'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Rock 'n' Groove'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Tribute'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Hook Line & Sinker'' (1982) Solomonic
* ''Roots Radics Rockers Reggae'' (1983) [[Shanachie Records|Shanachie]]
* ''Live!'' (1983) Solomonic
* ''Marketplace'' (1985) Solomonic
* ''Rootsman Skanking'' (1987) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Rock And Groove'' edited version plus 3 extra tracks)
* ''Rule Dance Hall'' (1987) Shanachie
* ''Liberation'' (1989) Shanachie
* ''Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley'' (1990) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Tribute'' + 2 extra tracks)
* ''Gumption'' (1990) Shanachie
* ''The Never Ending Wailers'' (1991)
* ''Dance Massive'' (1992)
* ''Just Be Nice'' (1993) [[RAS Records|RAS]]
* ''Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary'' (1996) RAS
* ''Communication'' (2000) Solomonic/Tuff Gong
* ''World Peace'' (2003) Solomonic
* ''Rub A Dub'' (2007) Solomonic
* ''Cross Culture'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Combinations Vol.1'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Blackheart Man (Remastered & Extended)'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Reincarnated Souls'' (2013), VP - 3CD + 2DVD set
Roots Radics Rockers Reggae
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You roots(you roots)you radicals you dub to the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals skankin to the reggae
You roots y'all
now it's the roots(the roots)the radicals the rockers and the reggae
Roots(the roots) the radicals rockers and the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals you step to the reggae
now there's no stem, leaves, or branches without the roots
You'll never find a city of dudes without the radicals
You'll never see the earth without the rocks, they're the foundation
Music wouldn't be music without reggae c'mon
you roots(you roots)you radicals you rock to the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals you dub to the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals skankin to the reggae
You roots internationally
it's the roots(the roots)the radics the rockers and the reggae
Roots(the roots) the radicals rockers and the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals you dubby to the reggae
You roots
now the roots are the inspiration of the people oh yes
And without them all would be gone astray
I can hear the voices of the radicals in the cities
Grab on, brother! To the rock I said
Rastafari, he leads the way
And reggae is the music which sends a message
Tells of history, the truth, and the right
Leading the cause of the innocent ones
To come forth be afflicted and keep them from wrong
Let the aged be protected and the infant be strong yes oh yeah, yeah, yeah
remember reggae is the music which sends a message
Tells of history, the truth, and the right
Leading the cause of the innocent ones
To come forth be afflicted and keep them from wrong
Let the aged be protected and the infants be strong
it's the roots(you roots)you radicals you rock to the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals you dub to the reggae
You roots(you roots)you radicals skankin to the reggae
You roots y'all
In "Roots Radics Rockers Reggae," Bunny Wailer pays tribute to the roots of reggae music, highlighting the vital components that make the genre resonate with people around the world. The song is primarily about the unity and importance of the roots, the radicals, the rockers, and the reggae music that brings them together. These four elements symbolize different aspects of the culture and history of Jamaica.
The roots of the song refer to the cultural and spiritual heritage that fuels the music of Jamaica. The radicals symbolize the social and political activists who use music as a platform to voice their concerns and spur change. The rockers represent the musicians who play the reggae music that inspires and energizes fans. Finally, the reggae music itself symbolizes the spirit, struggle, and soul of Jamaica.
Throughout the song, Wailer extols the virtues of these elements to bring people together in unity and harmony. He sings about the inseparability of the roots, radicals, rockers, and reggae, and urges his listeners to join in the celebration of this rich cultural legacy. Through "Roots Radics Rockers Reggae," Bunny Wailer demonstrates the unique power of reggae music to connect people across cultures and time, and to uplift them in times of struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
You roots(you roots)you radicals you rock to the reggae
You, who are the foundation of reggae music, along with the rebels and the dancers, are jamming to the soothing rhythms of reggae and letting loose.
You roots(you roots)you radicals you dub to the reggae
You, who are the basis of reggae music, along with the rebels and the music producers, are creating new and innovative rhythms in dub music.
You roots(you roots)you radicals skankin to the reggae
You, who are the origin of reggae music, along with the revolutionaries and the dancers, are moving and swaying to the lyrics and beats of reggae music.
You roots y'all
You, who are the fundamental essence of reggae music, are the reason the genre has sustained and evolved over the years.
now it's the roots(the roots)the radicals the rockers and the reggae
Now, the roots of reggae, along with the rebels and the musicians, are united in creating and sharing the soulful sounds of reggae music.
Roots(the roots) the radicals rockers and the reggae
The foundation, the protesters, the performers, and the music are all essential elements of reggae that define and celebrate the culture.
You roots(you roots)you radicals you step to the reggae
You, who are the essence of reggae music, along with activist individuals, are actively promoting and spreading the genre to create a positive change.
now there's no stem, leaves, or branches without the roots
Everything stems from the root of reggae music, without which there would be no branches, leaves, or stems to cultivate, nurture or enjoy.
You'll never find a city of dudes without the radicals
A protest movement with a cause is an integral part of any urban community, and without such radicals, there can be no forward progress.
You'll never see the earth without the rocks, they're the foundation
Just as rocks are the foundation of the earth, the roots of reggae music are the bedrock of the culture and the industry.
Music wouldn't be music without reggae c'mon
Reggae music is so intrinsic to the art form that music without reggae is unimaginable and incomplete.
You roots internationally
The roots of reggae music have spread internationally, and people from all corners of the world are participating in and appreciating the genre.
now the roots are the inspiration of the people oh yes
The roots of reggae music are the inspiration for the people they represent and serve, a testament to the power of music to move and inspire.
And without them all would be gone astray
Without the roots of reggae music, the culture, industry, and society would lose an intrinsic and essential component of their identity and progress.
I can hear the voices of the radicals in the cities
The voices of those who power and protest the status quo, often positioned in urban centers, are the ones who form the core of reggae's rebel spirit.
Grab on, brother! To the rock I said
Join in the cause with the soulful rhythm of reggae music, as it has the power to serve as an anchor and a lighthouse in turbulent times.
Rastafari, he leads the way
The Rastafarian movement, with its roots in Jamaica, provides an ideological foundation and inspiration for the message and culture of reggae music.
And reggae is the music which sends a message
Reggae music has embodied messages of hope, change, and revolution for decades, serving as the voice of the oppressed and the silenced.
Tells of history, the truth, and the right
Reggae music tells the unvarnished truth of the culture and people it represents, and often speaks to the rights, values, and struggles of them all.
Leading the cause of the innocent ones
Reggae music often champions the cause of the innocent, the suppressed, and the misunderstood, giving them a voice to express their feelings and struggles.
To come forth be afflicted and keep them from wrong
Reggae empowers listeners to come forward and stand up against injustice and wrongs that have afflicted them, buoyed by the spirit and message conveyed by the music.
Let the aged be protected and the infant be strong yes oh yeah, yeah, yeah
Reggae as a message of hope, it seeks to protect the elderly, who have borne the struggle, and strengthens and guides the children, who are the future of the struggle.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NEVILLE LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Book Of Gospel Classics
“Bunny Wailer” “Roots Radics, Rockers, Reggae, (Complete Full Album)(1983)
Side 1
Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae, 0:00
Cease Fire: 4:25
Let Him Go: 9:00
The Conqueror: 12:47
Side 2
Rockers: 16:27
Wirly Girly: 22:04
Rockin Time: 26:03
Love Fire: 31:44
Jon Meek
RIP our brother. This is one of the greatest Reggae albums of all time.
Bev Witter
Most definitely!
L Karamazov
Yes, it’s a very simple album, with total underlying complexity. Genius!
Thiago Favoretto
Verdade
G Knight
One of my favourite reggae bands of all times! 💜💜💜
gratefulila 9
Style Scott and Flabba Holt on drums and Bass..... Always blessed
The Book Of Gospel Classics
“Bunny Wailer” “Roots Radics, Rockers, Reggae, (Complete Full Album)(1983)
Side 1
Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae, 0:00
Cease Fire: 4:25
Let Him Go: 9:00
The Conqueror: 12:47
Side 2
Rockers: 16:27
Wirly Girly: 22:04
Rockin Time: 26:03
Love Fire: 31:44
Kofi Bolley
In fact, I love this man’s music. His voice so sweet and smooth like the an instrument. I don’t know who to pick as the best singer in Jamaica. His voice is clear and distinct ❤.
EllenTravers
I would pick Bunny as the best, much as I love Bob, Dennis, and Gregory. Gosh, hard to believe they're all gone.
Rainbell
One of my favorite albums, rest in peace Bunny Wailer.