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
Mr. Chatterbox
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always to receive but never to give
Always carry news all over the place
Mr. Chatterbox you are a big disgrace
You teeth and you tongue a go let you down
And a when them let you down we a go batter you around
Bif, baf, boof, those are the blows you're gonna get
Mr. Chatterbox how long will you live?
Always to receive but never to give
Always carry news all over the place
Mr. Chatterbox you are a big disgrace
You teeth, teeth, teeth, and tongue, tongue, tongue a go let you down
And a when them let you down we a go batter you around, hey
Bif-an, baf-an, boof, those are the blows you're gonna get, hey
Mr. Talkative I know you will regret
Mr. Chatterbox how long will you live?
Always to receive but a never to give
Always carry news all over the place
Mr. Chatterbox you are a big disgrace
You teeth and tongue a go let you down
And a when them let you down we a go batter you around
Bif-an, baf-an, boof-an, that's the blows you gonna get
Mr. Chatterbox, I know you will regret
Ooh yeah, Mr. Chatterbox, ooh yeah
Mr. Chatterbox, ooh yeah
Watch him, Mr. Chatterbox
The song "Mr. Chatterbox" by Bob Marley and the Wailers is a critique of gossip and those who spread it. The lyrics describe the titular character as someone who is always receiving news but never giving anything back. This suggests that Mr. Chatterbox is a shallow person who is only interested in spreading rumors and gossip for their own benefit. Bob Marley goes on to warn Mr. Chatterbox that his teeth and tongue will eventually let him down and that he will regret his behavior.
The repetition of the line "always to receive but never to give" emphasizes the selfishness of Mr. Chatterbox's behavior. The threats of violence ("bif, baf, boof") and the repetition of the phrase "you will regret" suggest that Bob Marley has a strong distaste for gossip and sees it as a destructive force in society.
Overall, "Mr. Chatterbox" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of gossip and reminds us to think twice before spreading rumors or listening to them without question.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Chatterbox how long will you live?
How long will you continue with your habit of incessant talking?
Always to receive but never to give
You only talk about others but never contribute to anything yourself
Always carry news all over the place
You spread rumors and gossip everywhere you go
Mr. Chatterbox you are a big disgrace
Your habit of talking too much and spreading rumors makes you look bad
You teeth and you tongue a go let you down
You will eventually get into trouble because of your loose talk
And a when them let you down we a go batter you around
When you get into trouble because of your talking, people will criticize and punish you
Bif, baf, boof, those are the blows you're gonna get
You will be subjected to harsh criticism and punishment
Mr. Talkative, I know you will regret
Your habit of talking too much will make you feel sorry in the end
You teeth, teeth, teeth, and tongue, tongue, tongue a go let you down
Your loose talking will be the cause of your downfall
Bif-an, baf-an, boof, those are the blows you're gonna get, hey
You will face severe criticism and punishment because of your habit of talking too much
Ooh yeah, Mr. Chatterbox, ooh yeah
Bob Marley is mocking the person who talks too much
Watch him, Mr. Chatterbox
Bob Marley is warning others to be careful of people who talk too much
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY, EDWARD OSULLIVAN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frencebrand9905
He was ahead of his time.. A real prophecy living
@kayadoobie9277
He certainly was ahead of his time. However if you were lucky enough to find songs like this before 2019 you’re on the right path.
@PaulMarsh-qt4px
The wisdom of this man is on another level, why do you think they tried to eliminate him? He had a lot of people of all races taking in his message which had the elites panicking. Thank jah for his children carrying on their farthers message. Long live the MARLEY'S
@vwwaa
What do you mean trying to eliminate him but they just that at 36 yrs.
@alexcika9906
What a badass song
@kayadoobie9277
Love it x
@jamesismynameok
Key song for lovin heart people dont help em unless theyre children or make exceptions for true fruit of the spirit types slanderous messy people dont deserve recognition or time silence brings true peace not communicating with legions of demons
@laazehhhaaze
LOVE DIS CHUNE!! i knw someone exactly how unko nesta says.. BOB SPEAK DE TRUTH!!
@MateoM-cl4gl
🔥forgot about this track ☝️🗣️🔥🙏
@shanedowley2877
Great stuff