The Original Wailers (new dates) and The Wailers in Brazil! Learn about the tours and the difference between the two bands!

If you have already seen concert announcements in your city, you may be asking right now: "What is the difference between The Wailers and The Original Wailers?" Most people do not know, but two different formations of musicians who backed Reggae King Bob Marley will be touring Brazil at the same time in January. The confusion — similar to what happened in 1995 when Brazil simultaneously received two Black Uhuru lineups (one with Don Carlos and another with Duckie Simpson) — is making waves, and Surforeggae will provide more details on both bands, plus when and where they will perform.

THE ORIGINAL WAILERS

"The Original Wailers" is a band formed by Bob Marley's former guitarists — Junior Marvin and Al Anderson, both former members of The Wailers, the official band that backed Marley. After various disputes, not only over the name but over copyright issues, the two joined other great Jamaican musicians such as backing vocalist Rochelle Bradshaw and keyboardist Jawge Hughes (Fully Fullwood Band), giving rise to the group in 2008. Despite the name, no member of "The Original Wailers" is in fact original, since when both joined the band that backed Bob Marley, it had already existed for several years. But that is hardly a negative factor, as proven by the huge success the group achieved in 2009 during its Brazil tour, when The Wailers (the other one) were also in the country.  DATES FOR "THE ORIGINAL WAILERS"  10/01: GAROPABA – Mar Del Rosa 12/01: GUARAPARI/ES – Clube Siribeira 13/01: PORTO SEGURO/BA – Hotel Quinta do Porto 14/01: ITACARE/BA – Praia do Resende 15/01: FORTALEZA/CE – Barraca Biruta 16/01: BELEM/PA – African Bar 21/01: SÃO LUIZ/MA - Trapiche 22/01: NATAL/RN – Ginásio Machadinho 23/01: JOAO PESSOA/PB – Espaço Cultural 24/01: ITANHAEM/SP – Projeto Verão 28/01: SÃO JOSE DOS CAMPOS/SP – Hocus Pocus 29/01: BELO HORIZONTE/MG – Esopo 30/01: ITAPOÁ/SC – Maresias 31/01: PORTO BELO/SC – Porto das Águas 03/02: VITORIA/ES - Ilhacustico 04/02: NITERÓI/RJ – Canto do Rio 04/02: RIO DE JANEIRO/RJ – Nut 05/02: IMBITUBA/SC – Festival do Camarão 06/02: CABO FRIO/RJ – Complexo Cabo Folia

THE WAILERS

Led by Aston Barrett, "The Wailers" is officially the group that backed Bob Marley throughout his career, formed together with Aston's brother Carlton Barrett (deceased). After Bob Marley's death, the band had various vocalists, including Junior Marvin (now in The Original Wailers), Gary "Nesta" Pine (who now performs electronic music) and the current one — Elan Matias. Some members passed away, others left the group, and the sole remaining member — Aston Barrett (bassist) — continues carrying Marley's legacy forward, uniting all the group's roots with the new energy brought by Elan Matias and other excellent musicians such as Keith Sterling (who backed Peter Tosh). Besides Aston, another "original" member — Earl Lindo (keyboards) — makes appearances on some of the band's tours. Alpha Blondy, another major star from Ivory Coast, will share the stage with The Wailers in Brazil. DATES FOR "THE WAILERS" 22/01: FORTALEZA/CE - Biruta 23/01: RECIFE/PE - Chevrolet Hall 24/01: RIO DE JANEIRO/RJ - Citibank Hall 26/01: PORTO ALEGRE/RS - Teatro Bourbon 28/01: BUENOS AIRES/ARG - Luna Park 29/01: MAR DEL PLATA/ARG - Arena Beach 30/01: FLORIANÓPOLIS/SC - Life Club 31:01: SÃO PAULO/SP - Credicard Hall