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
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Set my people free
Who's there yonder dressed in red
Sets my people free
Who's there yonder dressed in red
Whose there yonder dressed in red
Must be the people Moses led
Go tell iton the mountain
Set my people free
Who's there yonder dressed in white
Sets my people free
"Go Tell It On the Mountain" is a song by Bob Marley that expresses his passion for freedom and social justice for his people. The lyrics are centered around Moses, a biblical figure who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Marley's message is one of hope and liberation for the oppressed, urging people to spread the word that justice will be achieved. The opening line "Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere" is a call to action for people to spread the message of freedom far and wide. The repetition of "go tell it" emphasizes the urgency of the situation.
The second verse of the song focuses on the identity of the liberator - "Who's there yonder dressed in red, sets my people free". The repetition of "who's there" suggests that the singer is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the one who will bring about freedom. The color red is significant as it is often associated with revolution and rebellion - the color of the flags of many nations that fought for their independence. The third verse mentions Moses, who led his people out of Egypt to freedom. Marley is using Moses as a symbol of hope and strength for his people, encouraging them to believe that they too can be liberated.
Line by Line Meaning
Go, tell it on the mountain
Spread the word far and wide
Over the hills and everywhere
There are no limitations to where the message should reach
Set my people free
Advocate for the liberation of the oppressed
Who's there yonder dressed in red
Identify the one who will bring about freedom and justice
Must be the people Moses led
The one in red is a leader similar to Moses, who led his people out of slavery
Who's there yonder dressed in white
Continue to search for the one who will bring about liberation
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL BATEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elinario Oliveira Vieira Vieira
elinario
@espantapajaross
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Sobre las colinas y en todas partes
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Para liberar a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de rojo
Libera a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de rojo
Libera a mi gente
¿Quién? s que allá vestido de rojo
Deben ser los niños que Moisés llevó
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Para liberar a mi gente
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Sobre las colinas y en todas partes
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Para liberar a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de blanca
Libera a mi gente
¿Quién? s allí lleno vestida de blanca
Libera a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de blanca
Deben ser los hijos de los israelitas
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Para liberar a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de blanca
Libera a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de blanca
Libera a mi gente
¿Quién? allí vestida de blanca
Deben ser los hijos de los israelitas
Ve a contarlo en la montaña
Para liberar a mi gente
@fraserfleming5723
My Scottish mum, Nanak and aunties told us regularly Go tell it on the mountains I now get the reference and love it.
@dosewallips2365
Respect to Peter Tosh, Respect to Bob Marley, Respect to Bunny Wailer. Go Tell It On the Mountain was arranged and sung by Tosh.
@loving_2B_a_life_designer
Jesus is the way the life and the truth
No need for fighting for our rights - He'll fight for us
No need for cannabis - He's our peace
No need for nothing - He's our everything
@rhiannonbugher273
I sang this in honors choir growing up. I was a first soprano I was lead. And had a solo. As I sang my legs used to shake like al dente noodles. My nerves got so bad. But I loved to sing even though I was scared to death of the crowds. I don't sing really anymore unless I'm in the house just mostly goofing around trying to imitate peoples voices.
@user-ts8kz5uw1b
2023 and still Listening to the great Peter tosh
@localafh
The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. ‘Love Always’ Matthew 21:22
@elhadjidiatta5890
Who is still listening To the beauful track in 2019?😊 May the whole world be blessed😊Amen!
@ACE-777.
Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
@Nickolasmb
May Jesus set you free from your chains to this world!