Lindo, Earl “Wya” (7th January 1953-4th September 2017)

He was a keyboardist and guitarist, nicknamed “Wya” or “Wire”, born in Kingston Jamaica, to a musical family. He began playing the piano and organ when he was in high school and performed in the group The Meter followed by Now Generation.

He was heard by the bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett and he was so impressed with him that he put in a recommendation that he played on the JBC television programme “Where It’s At”. Being on that show enabled him to perform with Alva Lewis of The Hippy Boys and The Upsetters and Tommy McCook of The Skalatites and he also managed to find work with the record label Studio One and the singer Bob Marley.

In 1972 he was presented with the opportunity to become a member of the The Wailers, which he duly took up. He initially remained with the musicians after the original group disbanded but shortly after left to work with Taj Mahal. He went back to work with The Wailers as a member of the backing band for Bob Marley after he had gone onto his solo career. With them he regularly toured on an international level and saw success with hits such as “Buffalo Soldier”, “Could You Be Loved”, “I Shot the Sheriff”, “No Woman No Cry”, “One Love”, “Three Little Birds” and many more.

He continued with the group into the 2000s and appeared with many other artists during his career such as Big Youth, Burning Spear, The Fugees, The Gladiators, Impact All-Stars, Gregory Isaacs, Ziggy Marley, The Meditations, Carlos Santana, Sly & Robbie, Sting, Taj Mahal, Peter Tosh and Stevie Wonder among many others.

Albums he appeared on include all of Bob Marley & The Wailers releases as well as Familyman in Dub by Aston “Family Man” Barrett, It’s About Time by John Denver, Naturally by Marcia Griffiths, Heart of a Lion by I Roy, Only a Woman by Judy Mowatt, Who Feels It Knows Itby Rita Marley, Reconstruction by Max Romeo, Reggae Got Soul by Toots & The Maytals and Jah Message by The Wailers Band.

He lived with his wife and children in London, England, and died in September 2017 when he was 64 years old after being admitted to hospital with abdominal pains.

Bob Marley & The Wailers recordings
Could You Be Loved (Bob Marley )
Island WIP 6610-A (UK 45)

One Drop (Bob Marley )
Island WIP 6610-B (UK 45)

Redemption Song (Band Version)(Bob Marley )
Island: WIP 6653-B ( UK 45 PS)

Sources:

Lindo, Earl “Wya” (7th January 1953-4th September 2017)

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