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
Rebel’s Hop
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in bed send me a nurse
I'm thirsty thirsty Lord o' Mercy
Ooh we, other? the bottle, sweeter the victory
I've got your love, the power of your glory
Aah, Ooh yeah, trillin' me, alright
Can't judge a mother by the ? of the father
Can't judge a book by the ? on the cover Read me read me baby
No water can quench my thirst
I'm in bed, need a nurse
Can you understand
Do you understand me baby
I've got a bottle, sweet the victory
I've got your love, the power of your glory
Aah, Ooh we, alright
You've got your love and I've got mine
Can't you ? they work fine Do you believe me, baby, get it up baby
Break it back, turn it loose
What in heaven baby it got to choose
In the song Rebel's Hop, Bob Marley expresses his thirst for spiritual fulfillment and connection to a higher power. He emphasizes that no amount of physical sustenance can satisfy this thirst, and that only a divine force can bring him the peace and strength he needs. The mention of a nurse suggests that he is unwell, potentially referring to a spiritual sickness that can only be cured by a spiritual healer.
Marley then speaks about the power of love and glory, suggesting that these are the ultimate sources of strength and victory. He acknowledges that people may judge others unfairly based on their appearances or backgrounds, urging them to be open-minded and not to judge a book by its cover. He encourages his listeners to read him, to truly understand him and his message.
Line by Line Meaning
No water can quench my thirst
My desires are insatiable.
I'm in bed send me a nurse
I'm weakened and cannot do it alone.
I'm thirsty thirsty Lord o' Mercy
I yearn for spiritual renewal and strength.
Ooh we, other? the bottle, sweeter the victory
The bigger the challenge, the greater the reward.
I've got your love, the power of your glory
Love and faith give me strength and purpose.
Aah, Ooh yeah, trillin' me, alright
I am deeply moved and inspired by my faith and love.
Can't judge a mother by the ? of the father
Do not judge others by the actions of their family members.
Can't judge a book by the ? on the cover
Do not underestimate or judge someone based on their appearance.
Read me read me baby
Understand me and accept me for who I am.
You've got your love and I've got mine
We all have different beliefs and sources of strength.
Can't you ? they work fine Do you believe me, baby, get it up baby
You may not understand my methods, but they work for me.
Break it back, turn it loose
Let go of your limitations and embrace your potential.
What in heaven baby it got to choose
Why look to others for direction when we have all we need within ourselves?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAN SCOTT WILKINSON, MARTIN NOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hassledguy
I have never heard it sound this good. 007 does a killer version of this.
Mark Herron
Happy Birthday to the Late Bob Marley and Tyger Campbell reminds me of Bob Marley the King 👑 of Reggae Reincarnated Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!
Adam Poe
Some Temptation!
Some Early
Stiff from these guys
mmuggz
<3
smash master
lol i never knew or cared what tf he was sayin back in the day, this song slapped and still does haha
Lkw
He’s just asking the lord for energy and pleasantness.....
Zangief Sirksirkk
❤️❤️❤️
Kangalija
its actually "Walk the proud land my friend"
david dominick
is this a vinyl recording?
Natty Dread
No an MP3 Surround from 1959