Wailers fans face a similar dilemma that devotees of Asia, L.A. Guns, the Platters and other groups touring (and squabbling) under the same name face. There are currently two bands touring as the Wailers. The first is the Wailers Band, which was formed by Bob Marley as his backing band after the first group of the same name (which included Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh) disbanded in 1974. After Marley passed in 1981, the band soldiered on under the leadership of guitarist Junior Marvin and bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett.
Marvin, who has also been associated with Toots & the Maytals and
Steve Winwood, split off from those Wailers in 1997 to pursue a solo
career and enjoyed moderate success on his own until 2008. That's when
he decided to join forces with Al Anderson, who played with both Tosh
and Marley, to form the Original Wailers -- a name likely based on the
fact that two former members of Marley's band are in this group. The
night should feature plenty of familiar material from the Marley back
catalog.
-- Ernest Barteldes
The Original Wailers, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $19. Click here.
