Starting out in 1963 with the group Bob Marley & The Wailers, he forged a distinctive song-writing and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee Scratch Perry.
After The Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career which culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977 which established his worldwide reputation and became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million albums and singles.
Bob Marley was a member of this Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. Bob Marley became the leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene.
Now considered a "Rasta" prophet, Marley's adoption of the characteristic Rastafarian dreadlocks and famous use of marijuana as a sacred sacrament in the late sixties were an integral part of his persona. He is said to have entered every performance proclaiming the divinity of Jah Rastafari.
A few months before his death, Marley was baptised into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and took the name Berhane Selassie (meaning the Light of the Holy Trinity in Amharic).
His best known songs are a mixture of reggae, Roots Reggae, and rhythm and blues, which include:
I Shot the Sheriff
Exodus
Could You Be Loved
Redemption Song
No Woman, No Cry
Three Little Birds
Buffalo Soldier
Is This Love
One Love
Stir It Up
Jammin'
Get Up, Stand Up
His posthumous album Legend (1984) became the best-selling reggae album ever, with sales of more than 12 million copies.
Bob Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994; in December 1999, his album “Exodus” (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC.
Awards and Honors:
1976 - Rolling Stone Magazine's "Band of the Year"
1978 - United Nations' Peace Medal of the Third World
1981 - Jamaican Order of Merit
1994 - The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
1999 - Time Magazine's Best Album of the Century
2001 - Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2001- GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 - Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (#11)
2006 - The United Kingdom's "Blue Plaque"
2006 - Bob Marley Boulevard named in Brooklyn, New York
2010 - GRAMMY Hall Of Fame (Catch A Fire)
2012 - August the 7th, proclamed Bob Marley Day (Los Angeles)
2013 - GRAMMY Tribute Performance
Marley tragically died of cancer at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida on May 11, 1981.
Religion:
Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, (not rastafaranism as that is seen as a derogortory term as Rasta's don't like being refered to as an ism) whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae music in Jamaica. Rastas belive they are outcast from their native Zion and looked on Ethiopia as their real home and Tafarai Makonnen, who took the title Haile Sellasie I(Power of the Holy Trinity in Amharic), after he became the emperor of Ethiopia, as their leader. Rastas belive H.I.M. is Jesus in flesh. Rastas are considered to be black Jews.
Rastas claim their root from King Solomon and Abbysinian queen of Sheba, through lineage of their son Menelik, emperor of Abbysinia. H.I.M. is said to be a direct decendant of Menelik. 'Ras' means Head and 'Tafarai" means Creator. 'Jah' is the shortened form of the Hebrew word Jehovah. Rastas belive in one truth and that is the truth of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellasie I, King of kings, Lord of lords, conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, two hundred and twenty-fifth ruler of the three thousand year old Ethiopian empire, elect of Jah, Light of the world. Jah Rastafari live out. Rastas preach a non-materialistic, egalitarian way of life. Bob Marley became a leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene. Bob Marley was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica on November 4, 1980.
Diet:
Marley's diet was ital; fruit, vegetables and fish; which is food approved by the Rastafari movement.
Family:
Bob Marley had 13 children: three with his wife Rita Marley, two adopted from Rita's previous relationships, and the remaining eight with separate women.
His children are, in order of birth:
Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963, to Cheryl Murray;
Sharon, born November 23, 1964, to Rita in previous relationship;
Cedella born August 23, 1967, to Rita;
David "Ziggy Marley", born October 17, 1968, to Rita;
Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972, to Rita;
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972, to Pat Williams;
Rohan, born May 19, 1972, to Janet Hunt;
Karen, born 1973 to Janet Bowen;
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974; according to Cedella Booker she was the daughter of Rita and a man called Ital with whom Rita had an affair; nonetheless she was acknowledged as Bob's daughter;
Julian Marley, born June 4, 1975, to Lucy Pounder;
Ky-Mani Marley, born February 26, 1976, to Anita Belnavis;
Damian Marley, born July 21, 1978, to Cindy Breakspeare;
Makeda, born May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton.
See here for comedian Bob Marley the comedian: Comedian Bob Marley
Soul Rebel
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
On the hillside (ooh)
Not living good, yeah! Travel wide,
Said, I'm a living man, said, I'm a living man
I've got work to do (oh)
If you're not happy, children,
Then you must be blue
(Must be blue, must be blue) people say
I'm a rebel, let them talk
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me
I'm a capturer, that's what they say
(Soul adventurer) night and day
(I'm a rebel) I'm a rebel soul rebel
Do you hear them, Lippy?
I'm a capturer
Soul adventurer
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
On the hill side (oh)
If you are not living good, travel wide,
Said, I'm a living man (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
I've got work to do
If you're not happy,
You must be blue
I'm a rebel (ooh-ooh)
Soul rebel
I'm a capturer (ooh-ooh)
The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailers’ song Soul Rebel speak to rebellion, adventure and capturing the essence of the soul. The opening lines "I'm a rebel, soul rebel, I'm a capturer, soul adventurer" introduce the dominant themes of rebellion and adventure which permeate the song. The lines are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing a sense of defiance against societal norms and a desire to break free from conventions. The second stanza speaks to the beauty of the morning sun on the hillside and how it contrasts with the singer's current state of living. The singer is not living good, and thus must travel wide to find what they're looking for. The fact that he is a "living man" emphasizes the sense of purpose and urgency felt in the song. The repeated line, "If you're not happy, you must be blue" alludes to the idea that one can only find true happiness through adventure, rebellion and capturing the essence of the soul.
The refrain "I'm a rebel, let them talk, soul rebel, talk won't bother me" speaks to the singer's indifference to what people say, further reinforcing their determination to embrace their true selves. The line "I'm a capturer, that's what they say" indicates that the singer's journey is not widely understood, but ultimately, it doesn't matter because he is living his truth as a soul adventurer.
Overall, Soul Rebel is a song that inspires listeners to embrace their inner rebel, go on a soulful journey, and ultimately live life on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I am a non-conformist who refuses to follow societal norms or restrictions.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
I am a seeker of new experiences and knowledge, always pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) On the hillside (ooh) Not living good, yeah! Travel wide, Said, I'm a living man, said, I'm a living man I've got work to do (oh)
Despite facing hardship, I am determined to live life to the fullest and am always moving forward towards my goals.
If you're not happy, children, Then you must be blue (Must be blue, must be blue) people say
Society often judges those who do not conform to traditional values and may assume that their dissatisfaction with the status quo is the result of personal flaws.
I'm a rebel, let them talk Soul rebel, talk won't bother me I'm a capturer, that's what they say (Soul adventurer) night and day (I'm a rebel) I'm a rebel soul rebel Do you hear them, Lippy? I'm a capturer Soul adventurer
I am aware that others may criticize or misunderstand me, but I am confident in my identity as a rebel and adventurer who will continue to challenge the status quo.
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) On the hill side (oh) If you are not living good, travel wide, Said, I'm a living man (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I've got work to do If you're not happy, You must be blue
I encourage others to live life with purpose and seek out their own adventure, even if it means leaving behind what is comfortable or familiar.
I'm a rebel (ooh-ooh) Soul rebel I'm a capturer (ooh-ooh)
In all aspects of my life, I am a rebel and adventurer who is always seeking new experiences and opportunities for growth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ROSS ANDERSON, SIMON LAW, BOB MARLEY, MIKE WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eugenia Rodrigues
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