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
Mellow Mood
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can rock it all night long, darlin'
'Cause I've got love, darlin'
Love, sweet love, darlin'
Mellow mood has got me
So let the music rock me
'Cause I've got love, darlin'
Quiet as the night
Please turn off your light
I'll play your favorite song, darlin'
We can rock it all night long, darlin'
Strike the hammer while iron is hot
Strike the hammer while iron is hot
Strike the hammer while iron is hot
Open up your heart
Open up your heart
Let love come running in, darlin'
Love, sweet love, darlin'
Love, sweet love, darlin'
Mellow mood has got me, darlin'
Let the music rock me, darlin'
'Cause I've got your love (darlin')
Love, sweet love, darlin'
(Darlin')
In "Mellow Mood," Bob Marley sings to a lover, promising to play their favorite song all night long while basking in the mellow mood that the music creates. The song expresses the power of love and how it creates a calming, relaxing atmosphere that they could enjoy together. The line, "Strike the hammer while iron is hot" metaphorically refers to taking advantage of an opportunity while it exists or seizing the moment, which relates to the lovers' relationship. The theme of the song revolves around love's transformative power, leading listeners to feel like they're in the same "mellow mood" as Bob Marley.
In the final verse, he continues with the message of letting love come in and open up our hearts fully. Marley uses "darlin'" repeatedly throughout the song to emphasize how sweet and personal the love he is singing about truly is. Music is the perfect ingredient to complement this love, to add to its intensity and to cement this bond.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll play your favorite song, darlin'
I will play the song you love the most, my love
We can rock it all night long, darlin'
We can dance to this song all night, my love
'Cause I've got love, darlin'
I have so much love for you, my love
Love, sweet love, darlin'
My love for you is as sweet as love can be, my love
Mellow mood has got me
I am feeling very relaxed and calm
So let the music rock me
Let the music soothe me and make me feel good
Quiet as the night
The night is peaceful and quiet
Please turn off your light
Turn off your light and let us enjoy the peace and quiet
Strike the hammer while iron is hot
Take action immediately while you have the chance
Open up your heart
Let your emotions show and be open to love
Let love come running in, darlin'
Allow love to come into your life, my love
Mellow mood has got me, darlin'
I am still feeling relaxed and calm, my love
Let the music rock me, darlin'
The music is helping me to feel even more calm and relaxed, my love
'Cause I've got your love (darlin')
I am feeling even more in love with you, my love
Love, sweet love, darlin'
My love for you is still as sweet as love can be, my love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ras-lawrence-9503
One of bobs last songs was ima hurting inside. which he sung live over and over for 2 hours on stage.
@Marschalmathers
Bob rest in Peace your the best
@DelPhillips89
love this track
@SoulKingdread
This was NOT bob marley's last song. You can tell by his voice and the beat
@giuseppeparnoffo6105
Love sweet love....
My King ❤️
@DBos74
Which expert can confirm that this is a Rocksteady song, not a Reggae song?
@vuurwerkforlife122
r.i.p bob marley 4 ever bob marley
@kennedy5304
buena musica ,si
@Shkicabebu
LOVE!
@DirtyStep420
i love love bob