By Howard Campbell—-
Bunny Wailer (second right) accepts the Pinnacle Award from Pat Chin of VP Records at the Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, New York on November 2. At left is Carlyle McKetty of the Coalition To Preserve Reggae, which presented the award, and Wailer’s manager Maxine Stowe.—
Reggae legend Bunny Wailer received the Pinnacle Award from the Coalition To Preserve Reggae on November 2 at the Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, New York. Lone survivor of the most famous Wailers, he accepted on behalf of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, his former colleagues.
The award was presented on a day when Rastafarians celebrated the 89th anniversary of Haile Selassie I as emperor of Ethiopia. Pat Chin of VP Records, who told the audience she has known the singer/songwriter for 60 years, presented the award.
“I want to congratulate Bunny on all the hard work he has put in over the years. I feel so special to be a part of this event tonight,” said Chin.
The 72-year-old Wailer, who suffered a stroke one year ago, made the trip with his manager Maxine Stowe and The Wailers Trio, a group comprising his son Asadenaki, Blvk H3ro and Written. They did a 12-song set that included several of the legendary group’s standards, such as Simmer Down, Concrete Jungle, Stir It Up, One Love, Duppy Conqueror and Get Up, Stand Up.
Wailer and The Wailers Trio are doing the promotional rounds in New York. They made appearances at Irie Jam Radio and Sirius XM Radio, and are scheduled to perform at Sandz in Laurelton this evening.
Marley, Tosh and Wailer (born Bunny Livingston) were original members of The Wailing Wailers which formed as a ska group in Trench Town, Kingston during the early 1960’s. Their impressive list of songs started in 1964 with the Clement Dodd-produced Simmer Down.
He has won three Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.
Marley died from cancer in 1981 at age 36, while Tosh was murdered in 1987 at age 42.
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