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
Soon Come
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everytime I call
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
I call you at your home
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
I don't like hanging around
Or to be pushed around
I've got feelings for you now
I call you on the phone
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
I even call you at your home
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
I don't like hanging around
Or to be pushed around
I've got feelings for you now
I don't like the soon come
I call you on the phone
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
I even call you at your home
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
But I don't like hanging around
Or to be pushed around
I've got feelings for you now
I don't like soon come
Stop your coming, soon come
The lyrics of Soon Come by Bob Marley & The Wailers appears to be a song about a person who is waiting for someone, but they are tired of hearing the same response every time they call or try to reach out to that person. The singer in the lyrics is frustrated because every time they call, they are told that the person is "soon come." The singer doesn't like feeling pushed around or hanging around waiting for the person to arrive.
The phrase "soon come" is a Jamaican Patois expression that means "coming soon." This phrase was introduced in Jamaica during the time of slavery and it became frequently used in Jamaican culture. The song Soon Come uses this phrase to depict the frustrating situation of waiting for someone who never seems to arrive.
The lyrics of the song show a combination of emotions, including frustration, impatience, and vulnerability. The singer in the song is expressing their feelings about the situation of waiting for someone who promises to arrive soon. Additionally, the lyrics could be interpreted as a message about the importance of communication in a relationship. If one person is always "soon come," it can make the other person feel unimportant and insignificant.
Overall, Soon Come by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a song that showcases the frustration and disappointment of waiting for someone who constantly promises to arrive soon, but never does. The lyrics reveal the emotional toll this can take on a person and the need for open and honest communication between individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Soon come
I am eagerly waiting for you to arrive
Everytime I call
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
Whenever I call and ask about your arrival, I am told that you will be here soon
I call you at your home
They tell me that you're soon come, soon come
Even when I call your house, I am told that you will be here soon
I don't like hanging around
Or to be pushed around
I've got feelings for you now
I don't like the soon come
I do not enjoy waiting around or being told to wait longer. My emotions for you are strong, and I do not want to hear that you will be here soon without any concrete timeline
Stop your coming, soon come
I would rather have you not come at all if it means I have to keep waiting for you
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Tosh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
localafh
The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. โLove Alwaysโ Matthew 5:44
Blue Zodiac
This Album should be credited to the Wailers.
Bonnie Plays
True!! There's so many songs credited to Bob Marley & The Wailers when in reality they still were named The Wailers...
Islamia Yusif
100% true
psst... hey you
The album is called "The Best of The Wailers"
Caribbean Memories
Special Early Reggae ๐
psst... hey you
Peter Tosh!! ๐๐ถ๐๐๏ธโฅ๏ธ
Maria Candelaria Nรบรฑez Herrera
๐๐๐๐๐
Jonathan Samudio-Facyson
๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ
gary ablet
Bunny Wailer , thank-you for da riddim. In the valley of decision .