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
Heathen
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
Rise up fallen fighters
Rise and take your stance again
'Tis he who fight and run away
With de heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
As a man sow, shall he reap
And I know that talk is cheap
But the hotter the battle
A the sweeter Jah victory
With the heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
Rise up, fallen fighters
Rise and take your stance again
'Tis he who fight and run away
Live to fight another day
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah
"The Heathen" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a song that speaks to the importance of standing up against oppression and the power dynamics that govern society. The repetitive chorus of "De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!" serves as a call to action, urging those who may have fallen in their fight to rise again and take their stance. The use of the term "heathen" can be interpreted as referring to those who are considered outsiders or non-conformists, and suggests that they are not powerless but have the ability to challenge and disrupt the status quo.
The opening verse highlights the importance of perseverance and the need to live to fight another day. The lines "Rise up fallen fighters / Rise and take your stance again / 'Tis he who fight and run away / Live to fight another day" speak to the reality that sometimes retreat is necessary in order to regroup and continue the fight. The chorus appears to emphasize this point, using the repetition of the phrase "De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!" to create a sense of urgency and drive.
The following verse speaks to the idea of karma, in that an individual will reap what they sow. It is suggested that although talk may be cheap, it is in the midst of the greatest battles that victory is the sweetest. This line can be interpreted as a call to action, urging individuals to continue fighting against oppression and inequality even when the odds may seem stacked against them.
Overall, "The Heathen" is a call to action and a reminder that even when it may seem like the fight is hopeless, individuals have the power to challenge oppressive systems and create change.
Line by Line Meaning
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
The enemy is lurking nearby, preparing to attack.
Rise up fallen fighters
You may have lost a battle, but it's time to get back up and keep fighting.
Rise and take your stance again
Find your footing and be ready for the next battle.
'Tis he who fight and run away
It may seem cowardly, but sometimes retreating is the smart choice in order to fight again another day.
Live to fight another day
Surviving the battle is the most important thing in order to continue the fight for what you believe in.
As a man sow, shall he reap
You will reap what you sow, good or bad.
And I know that talk is cheap
Words are meaningless without action to back them up.
But the hotter the battle
The more difficult the challenge, the greater the reward.
A the sweeter Jah victory
The reward for persevering and overcoming obstacles is worth all the effort.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TestTest-ft9xh
"In this age of technological inhumanity
Scientific atrocity
Atomic misphilosophy
Nuclear misenergy
It's a world that forces lifelong insecurity
We're the survivors, yeah!
We're the survivors!
Yes, the Black survivors!
We got to survive, y'all!"
Prophet Bob Marley
@TestTest-ft9xh
"In this age of technological inhumanity
Scientific atrocity
Atomic misphilosophy
Nuclear misenergy
It's a world that forces lifelong insecurity
We're the survivors, yeah!
We're the survivors!
Yes, the Black survivors!
We got to survive, y'all!"
Prophet Bob Marley
@michaelgray9356
Being a drummer, I have to say Carlton Barrett is one of my all-time favorites. No one talks about him, but he is laying down the wood.😎
@pipinou-kc5qm
Bob doesn't sing he raises
This is not entertainment, this is education and a message for generations... yaa man fight the Matrix 🗣
@Trueskool90
Heightz!!!!!
@benzain100
very true
@maxcent9937
Bien ahi es verdad lo q decis
@HadiChabouni
@@benzain100🎉 le n'a n'a
@abeydgreat
I can't count how many times I have watched this video. First off, you can tell that guitarist was playing from his soul and I also wonder how Bob put this band together then again I ask myself if Marley knew he would go on to be the Greatest Of All Times. No one comes close to Marley 🙌🙌
@marie-solangebouissac4420
I totally AGREE, I love so many musics from all around the world, BUT BOB IS THE BEST
@npjakson
Junior 💜
@smoothoperator7023
Love Bob too, but my favorite is Burning Spear✊🏾
Check out Door Peep live in Paris '88. 🔥🎸🔥