Junior Braithwaite facts for kids

Franklin Delano Alexander "Junior" Braithwaite (born April 4, 1949 – died June 2, 1999) was a reggae musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He was the youngest member of the famous vocal group, The Wailing Wailers.

Junior Braithwaite's Early Music Career

The Wailing Wailers was a music group that started in 1963. Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh formed the group with Junior Braithwaite. This was when a new type of music called ska became very popular in Jamaica. Ska music is a fast and lively style that came before reggae. Soon after, Beverly Kelso and Cherry Smith joined the group. They sang backup vocals.

Junior Braithwaite was part of The Wailers for about eight months. He sang the main vocals on several songs. These included "Habits," "Straight and Narrow Way," "Don't Ever Leave Me," and "It Hurts To Be Alone." Many people thought he had the best voice in the group. Coxsone Dodd, who ran Studio One and discovered the band, agreed. Bob Marley once said that Junior's voice was very high. He even compared it to one of the Jackson Five singers. When Junior left, the other members had to find a new sound.

Life After The Wailers

Junior Braithwaite left The Wailers in 1964. He moved to the United States because he wanted to study medicine. For the next 20 years, he lived mostly in Chicago and southern Wisconsin.

In 1984, Junior returned to Jamaica. He planned to work with Bunny Wailer on a project. They hoped to bring The Wailers group back together for new music and tours. However, these plans did not happen. This was because Peter Tosh passed away in September 1987.

Junior Braithwaite's Passing

Junior Braithwaite died on June 2, 1999. He and another musician, Chaka/Lawrence Scott, were found dead in Scott's home in Kingston.

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