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 โExodusโ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song โOne Loveโ 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
Iron Lion Zion
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have to run like a fugitive to save the life I live
I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion
I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion
Iron lion Zion
I'm on the run but I ain't got no gun
See they want to be the star
So they fighting tribal war
Iron like a lion in Zion
Iron lion Zion
Yeah, I'm on the rock (running and you running)
I take a stock (running like a fugitive)
I had to run like a fugitive just to save the life I live
I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion
I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion
Iron lion Zion, iron lion Zion, iron lion Zion
Iron like a lion in Zion, iron like a lion in Zion
Iron like a lion in Zion, (iron lion Zion)
Iron like a lion in Zion
(Running like a fugitive) iron like a lion in Zion
(Iron lion Zion), iron like a lion in Zion
In "Iron Lion Zion," Bob Marley & The Wailers sings about being on the run and having to become strong and fearless like an iron lion in order to survive. The first verse alludes to the idea of checking the stock market, but then shifts abruptly to a more serious and dangerous situation of having to flee for one's life. Marley invokes the image of a lion, known for its strength and fearlessness, and declares that he will be "iron" like a lion in order to overcome the obstacles in his path. The second verse seems to speak to larger societal issues, as Marley notes that people fight tribal wars and strive to be stars, while he chooses to be like an iron lion in his strength and resilience.
Overall, "Iron Lion Zion" is a powerful song about the strength and endurance required to survive against all odds. Marley's use of the lion metaphor conveys a sense of pride, strength and self-reliance, while his message of overcoming adversity and external obstacles is one that resonates with audiences around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I am on the rock and then I check a stock
I'm stable but constantly monitoring my progress
I have to run like a fugitive to save the life I live
I must flee to preserve myself
I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion
I aspire to be strong and unbeatable like a lion in a holy place
Iron lion Zion
Unbeatable lion in a holy place
I'm on the run but I ain't got no gun
I'm escaping danger without weaponry
See they want to be the star
They crave the limelight
So they fighting tribal war
They participate in conflicts among their kin
And they saying iron like a lion in Zion
They want to be strong and unbeatable like a lion in a holy place
Yeah, I'm on the rock (running and you running)
I'm unwavering despite external pressures
I take a stock (running like a fugitive)
I continuously evaluate my progress while fleeing danger
Iron like a lion in Zion, iron like a lion in Zion
Unbeatable and strong like a lion in a holy place
Iron lion Zion, iron lion Zion, iron lion Zion
Unbeatable lion in a holy place
(Running like a fugitive) iron like a lion in Zion
I continue to flee while being strong like a lion in a holy place
(Iron lion Zion), iron like a lion in Zion
Unbeatable lion in a holy place; strong like a lion in such a place
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gilangrmdhnardnsyh2566
I am on the rock
And then I check a stock
I had to run like a fugitive
To save the life I live
I'm gonna be iron
Like a lion in Zion
I'm gonna be iron
Like a lion in Zion
Iron, lion, Zion (Lion)
I'm on the run
But I ain't got no gun
See they want to be the star
So they fighting tribal war
And they saying
Iron, like a lion, in Zion
Iron, like a lion, in Zion
Iron, lion, Zion (Lion)
Yeah, I'm on the rock
(Running and you running)
Seel-ya-bub, I take a stock
(Running like a fugitive)
I had to run like a fugitive, ooh Lord
Just to, just to save the life I live, oh now
I'm gonna be iron
Like a lion in Zion
I'm gonna be iron
Like a lion in Zion
Iron, lion, Zion
Iron, lion, Zion
Iron, lion, Zion (Lion)
Iron, like a lion, in Zion
Iron, like a lion, in Zion
Iron, like a lion, in Zion (Iron, lion, Zion)
Iron, like a lion, in Zion (Running like a fugitive)
Iron, like a lion, in Zion (Iron, lion, Zion)
Iron, like a lion, in Zion (Running like a fugitive)
Iron, like a lion, in Zion (Iron, lion, Zion)
Iron, like a lion, in Zion
@donatoobel3561
RIP legendary Bob. What a powerful song!!
@5iFTYHFaviation_addict
Man, this song, the voice, the melody, the instruments. PERFECT!!
@user-ew3ov6wn9f
I NAMED MY SON ZION NOW HES 18 I TOLD HIM I NAMED HIM AFTER HIS UNCLE BOBS SONG.IRON LION ZION LOVE IT RIP BOB MARLEY FOREVER LIVE THROUGH YOUR MUSIC ....JAH RASTA FARI FOEVER โคโคโค
@camfrog79
U told ur kid his uncle is bob marley..? ๐
@staatsfeind6518
@@camfrog79telling your son his uncle is bob marley is crazy ๐
@MR_GARY123
They mean Bob's fam
@theterpenater6414
@@camfrog79 hes probably jamaican
@Zionlzantua
Bob Marley is my uncle.
@thomasdellabarca8615
We are so lucky this man lived and gave his heart and soul to music
@yute-hube779
He gave even more.