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
RootsRockReggae
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Play I some music, (dis a) reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
Hey, mister music, you sure sounds good to me
I can't refuse it, what to be got to be
Feel like dancing, dance 'cause we are free
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, yeah, dis a reggae music
Play I some music, dis a reggae music
Play I some music, dis a reggae music
Play I on the R and B, wo-oh, want all my people to see
We're bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread
Play I on the R and B, want all my people to see
We bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music, uh-uh
Roots, rock, reggae, ee-mi duba, dis a reggae music
Play I some music (dis a reggae music)
Play I some music (dis a reggae music)
(Dis a reggae music)
(Dis a reggae music)
Play I on the R and B
I want all my people to see
We bubblin' on top one hundred just like a mighty dread
Play I some music (dis a) reggae music
Play I some music (dis a) reggae music
(Dis a reggae music)
(Dis a reggae music)
The song "Roots Rock Reggae" is an upbeat celebration of reggae music and its roots in Jamaican culture. The lyrics encourage the listener to join in the dance and embrace the freedom that comes with the music. The song begins with the plea to "Play I some music, (dis a) reggae music," emphasizing the importance of this genre on the island and in the world at large.
Bob Marley then goes on to describe the sound of the music, singing "Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music." He notes that the beat of the music is irresistible and that it makes you want to dance. The lyrics then encourage the listener to join in the celebration, singing "Feel like dancing, dance 'cause we are free."
The song then switches to a focus on the popularity of reggae music on the charts, with Marley singing "Play I on the R and B, wo-oh, want all my people to see. We're bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread." This line emphasizes the widespread reach of the music and its impact on popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Play I some music, (dis a) reggae music
Start playing some reggae music for me to listen and enjoy
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
This particular music is roots rock reggae, belonging to reggae genre
Hey, mister music, you sure sounds good to me
The music is really pleasing and enjoyable for me to hear
I can't refuse it, what to be got to be
I cannot resist listening to it, anything meant to be will happen
Feel like dancing, dance 'cause we are free
I have the urge to dance to the music because of the freedom it portrays
Roots, rock, reggae, yeah, dis a reggae music
The genre of this particular music is reggae, comprising elements of roots and rock
Play I on the R and B, wo-oh, want all my people to see
Play my music on R&B radio stations so that it can get popular and reach out to all of my fans
We're bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread
Our reggae music is becoming popular and rising up the charts, like a powerful movement
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music, uh-uh
The beat and tone of this music is reggae roots and rock style
Roots, rock, reggae, ee-mi duba, dis a reggae music
This is a song of the reggae music genre that includes elements of rock and roots
Play I some music (dis a reggae music)
I want to listen to reggae music, play it for me
(Dis a reggae music)
This is a reggae music piece
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: VINCENT FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joelwest5541
My 4 year old son has been in ICU for a week and I've been sitting here playing Bob hour upon hour quietly in the room. It's been amazing to see the smiles on the faces of people who passed the room. The nurses check on him more often than the do when I'm not playing Bob. This music is powerful in ways we are incapable comprehending.
One love
@michaelbentt3018
Blessings, luv and light to your little, beautiful soldier, my friend.
Rise up.
@artyom8456
i hope after all these years, he's still a happy little boy! bless you both
@joelwest5541
@artyom wow, I had forgotten about this comment. It's funny how life will remind you of the important things! Yeah, he's doing really well today! That was such a scary time for me, we almost lost him in that hospital! Thanks for you comment!
The power of music, the greatest communication! One love sir
@icey2203
@Joel West great to hear.
@shelll9254
Most healing . music to help the body recover and rejuvenate. It soothes the soul. ✌️&💗
@liviusss
One of the most beautiful and underrated songs ever written... The King will forever live in our hearts!
@maxgandara7403
not underrated, highly appreciated.
@SuppAmiigg
https://youtu.be/abVh2WoUgKc
@jfryk
If you ever watch the video it's easier to catch the dripping irony holding up a mirror to everything.