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
Sou Shakedown Party
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight!
The way you love-a me, huh! It's all right!
When you put your loving arms around me,
And you hold me tight, hold me tight
This is my invitation
I got the special vacation
Just to feel your vibration
At that soul shakedown party
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight!
Jane is in the back yard
Doing the outside dance
I'm telling you the other day,
She didn't even get a chance!
But this is my invitation
A just-a special vacation
I need your concentration
Just to - just to - just to (vibration) just to
(Soul shakedown party tonight) Baby, I need you tonight!
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight!
Hit it, brother, y'all!
The way you love-a me, it's all right! (It's all right)
When you put your loving arms around me (arms around me),
And you hold me tight (hold me tight)
This is my invitation
I got the special vacation
I need your concentration
Just to feel your vibration
At that soul shakedown party tonight!
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight! Uh!
Swing with me, baby!
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
The song "Soul Shakedown Party" by Bob Marley and the Wailers is an upbeat tribute to the power of music and love. It speaks of a gathering or party where everyone comes together to celebrate and dance to the soulful rhythms of music. The lyrics express the joy and happiness of being in love and having someone to hold tight. The singer invites the listener to join him in this celebration where they can feel the energy and vibration of the music.
The song also mentions Jane, who is doing the outside dance, but never got a chance to join the party. The singer wants everyone to come and join the shakedown party, where no one is left out, and everyone can feel the power of music and love.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey the idea of community and togetherness through music. It is an invitation to come together, dance, and celebrate life's simple pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight!
We are going to have a great party with lots of soulful music and dancing tonight!
The way you love-a me, huh! It's all right!
I'm feeling good about the way you love me, everything is okay.
When you put your loving arms around me, And you hold me tight, hold me tight
I feel safe and loved when you hold me close in your arms.
This is my invitation, I got the special vacation, I need your concentration, Just to feel your vibration
I'm inviting you to my special party and I want you to focus on the good vibes and energy that we will share.
At that soul shakedown party, We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight!
At this party, we will experience the powerful and soulful music that will shake us to our core!
Jane is in the back yard, Doing the outside dance, I'm telling you the other day, She didn't even get a chance!
My friend Jane loves to dance and she's been practicing outside, but she hasn't had a chance to showcase her skills yet.
Just to - just to - just to (vibration) just to (Soul shakedown party tonight) Baby, I need you tonight!
I need you to come to the party tonight and feel the good vibes with me.
Hit it, brother, y'all!
Let's get the music started and have a good time!
Swing with me, baby! (Soul shakedown party tonight)
Let's dance together at this soulful party tonight!
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Lewis
Tastey audio quality. BASHMENT!
FarmDog Music
Is there an original member? 🤔
FarmDog Music
Just check he played with Bob Peter and Albert King! Thx cool
FarmDog Music
@Natrixxvision thanks. for info! Did he play for Peter Tosh also? 🤔
Natrixxvision
@FarmDog Music Well his name is Donald Kinsey and yes he did play with Marley.
FarmDog Music
Lol he is excellent 👏 however I'm not convinced that anybody in this band was hired in the Bob Marley band.
Doug Potosky
Yes!