THE LEGENDARY BUNNY WAILER TO “SIMMER DOWN” THE CURTAINS TO REGGAE SUMFEST 2012!

The living legend, Bunny Wailer, is slated to close the 20th staging ofReggae Sumfest.

This privilege has been granted to the only living Wailer amid the 50th anniversary of not only Jamaica’s independence, but the formation of the original Wailers.

Bunny Wailer has made a tremendous contribution to the Jamaican music industry, helping to spread the genre across the globe.

The singer/songwriter gained initial acclamation from being a part of The Wailers alongside the late Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

The group began its journey in1962 with members Bunny Wailer, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, as well as Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, Cherry Smith-Grant and Constantine Walker.

The group was officially welcomed to the Jamaican diaspora with their first, hit single, Simmer Down.

legendary group

In commemoration of the formation of this legendary group, Bunny Wailer compiled a CD in accordance with a Wailer 50th anniversary campaign.

Included on the CD is the re-recording of Butterfly, an original Wailer song, now with the voices of Ky-Mani Marley and Andrew Tosh, offspring of the late Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, respectively.

Bunny Wailer left the group to pursue a solo career a year after the release of his first solo single Searching for Love in 1973.

Prior to his departure from the historical group, Bunny started his own label, Solomonic, between 1972 and 1973, which grew as he developed along his journey.

His first album, Black Heart Man, was released in 1976, and, to this day, is dubbed one of the best reggae collections of all time.

The veteran will bring a double-entendre to life as he sings in the name of Jamaica’s 50 years of independence and the once live Wailers.

Bunny Wailer will look back amid his forward movement through the preparation for a 2012-2014 tour. Sumfest patrons can expect a very symbolic performance from the living legend.

The week of activities kicks off with a beach party on Sunday, July 15 and resumes on Thursday, July 19 with the hard-hitting Dancehall Night.

Reggae Sumfest is sponsored by Digicel, Red Stripe, Iberostar, JamaicaTourist Board, The Gleaner Company Ltd and Pepsi and takes place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from July 15 to 21.