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
The Ten Commandments of Love
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thou shalt never love another
And stand by me all the while
Take happiness with the heartache
And go through love wearing a smile
Oh, how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
Oh love
Thou shalt always have faith in me
In everything I say and do
Love with all your heart and soul
Until our life on earth is through
Oh how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
Love, oh sweet love
It's oh, oh so grand
You will find since the beginning of time
It has proved throughout all the land
So come to me when I am lonely
Kiss me when you hold me tight
Treat me sweet and gentle
When we say good night
Oh, how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
Oh, love
Oh, how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
(spoken) The Ten Commandments of Love
The Ten Commandments Of Love, a classic doo-wop R&B song with reggae flavor, is an ode to love that highlights the essential aspects of a successful and long-lasting relationship. The song's lyrics are divided into ten commandments, or rules, that a couple must follow to keep their love alive. The first two commandments emphasize faithfulness, urging the listener to never love another and always stand by their partner. The third commandment advises the listener to take happiness with the heartache and wear a smile throughout their romantic journey, reminding us that no love story is without its ups and downs.
The fourth commandment emphasizes faith in each other's words and actions, while the fifth exhorts the listener to love their partner with all their heart and soul until their life on earth is through, indicating the permanence and depth of their love. The remaining commandments advise the listener to be tender and loving towards their partner, through hugs, kisses, and gentle treatment. Throughout the song, Paul Marley, the songwriter, reminds us that if we follow all of these ten commandments of love, we will be incredibly happy.
Line by Line Meaning
Thou shalt never love another
You must never love anyone else but me
And stand by me all the while
Stay with me through thick and thin
Take happiness with the heartache
Even in times of sadness, we must find happiness
And go through love wearing a smile
Be happy and cheerful throughout our love journey
Oh, how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
Our love will be strong and happy if we follow these ten commandments
Thou shalt always have faith in me
Believe in me and trust me always
In everything I say and do
Have faith in my words and actions
Love with all your heart and soul
Love me with all your being
Until our life on earth is through
Love me for as long as we live
Love, oh sweet love
Love is a beautiful thing
It's oh, oh so grand
It is magnificent and wonderful
You will find since the beginning of time
Love has existed forever
It has proved throughout all the land
Love has been the source of joy for everyone
So come to me when I am lonely
Be there for me when I'm lonely
Kiss me when you hold me tight
Kiss me when we are close
Treat me sweet and gentle
Be kind and gentle with me
When we say good night
Before we part ways at night
Oh, how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
Following these commandments will make our love life happy
Oh, love
Oh, the power of love
Oh, how happy we will be if we keep the ten commandments of love
The commandments will bring us immense happiness
(spoken) The Ten Commandments of Love
These are the ten commandments of love to live by
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARSHALL PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VNRose3
"Give us another brother Moses..." Bob not only covered Harvey and the Moonglows Doowop R & B block buster, The Ten Commandments of Love, he also fixed the lyric, which had, embarassingly, only nine commandments. "And always do (what's- alternate version) right" he adds, where Harvey Fuqua sang "When we say goodnight." He corrected the biblical grammar from "Thy shall never love another" to "Thou shall never." Bob before reggae...still the best.
Samuel Kwakye
ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS UNDERSTANDS THE WORDS OF THE WISE.THE RIGHTEOUS WILL GO THROUGH THIS LIFE WEARING A SMILE!
theetta bell
They even harmonized,first time hearing this
More props to Bob!
ChelleyFresh01
amazing song♥ love them
Rolex Bodex
Greatness is in the moment..
Eugene Cattouse
Before Bob made the Rasta trip. Polyester suits and high cuff pants..The evolution.. The man could sing.
La fuerza del espíritu
Wonderful vídeo my friend
David Sutton
Marley lives
Paollo Shanti
❤️
theetta bell
Go ahead Bob