- … Read Full Bio ↴There are or have been - at least - two bands named The Wailers:
- The legendary Jamaican reggae band (founded as a ska group 1963, and became a Rastafarian reggae band in 1968), renamed Bob Marley & The Wailers in 1974, which are still active led by bassist Aston Barrett after Marley's death in 1981.
- The Fabulous Wailers, a rock and roll and garage band from the USA, active 1958-1969, first led by John Greek, replaced in 1960 by Rockin' Robin Roberts.
1) Bob Marley & The Wailers have together sold in excess of 255 million albums worldwide. Since they are extraordinary popular also in poor countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America with big markets for pirate copies the total amounts of albums sold has been estimated to over 1 billion. In England alone, they've notched up over 20 chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries. In USA on the other hand, Bob Marley & The Wailers reached superstar status only after Marley's death, with the album Legend , focusing on the person Bob Marley but not on the band. Outside of their groundbreaking work with Marley, the Wailers have also played or performed with international acts like Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and Alpha Blondy, as well as reggae legends such as Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear. As the greatest living exponents of Jamaica's reggae tradition, the Wailers have completed innumerable other tours, playing to an estimated 24 million people across the globe. They have also been the first reggae band to tour new territories on many occasions, including Africa and the Far East.
Their nucleus formed in 1969, when the vocalist group "The Wailers" (formed 1963 by Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh) requited the talented Barrett brothers: bassist Aston "Family Man" and drummer Carlton (writer of well-known Marley songs like "War" and "Talking Blues", 'sound-maker' of more Marley songs, developer of the one drop style in reggae music) played on hits such as Lively Up Yourself, Trenchtown Rock, Duppy Conqueror, and many more besides. Inspired by Rastafari and their ambitions of reaching an international audience, this is the line-up that pioneered roots rock reggae, and signed to Island Records in 1971. Bunny and Peter left two years later. It was at this point that the in-demand Barrett brothers - whose rhythms also underpinned innumerable seventies' reggae hits by other acts - assumed the title of Wailers, and backed Marley on the group's international breakthrough album, Natty Dread. Under Family Man's musical leadership, they then partnered Bob Marley on the succession of hit singles and albums that made him a global icon, winner of several Lifetime Achievement awards, and Jamaica's best-loved musical superstar.
Drummer Carlton "Carlie" Barrett was murdered 1987, leaving his brother as the main beneficiary of the Wailers' mantle. Subsequent line-ups have revolved around Family Man, who is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest bass players. Modest and unassuming, he was present on all of those unforgettable performances by Bob Marley & The Wailers from the seventies. Family Man continues to be the main axis of the current Wailers - a group that's one of the last, great reggae institutions, yet which refuses to live off past glories. That's because Family Man represents tried and trusted roots authenticity and, along with the Wailers, injects fresh excitement into a show that continues to attract enthusiastic audiences from around the world.
2) The Fabulous Wailers were an American rock band from Tacoma, Washington. Formed around 1958, they are often considered the first garage rock group. They performed a hybrid of saxophone-driven rhythm and blues and Chuck Berry rock and roll.
Five 45s (four released in 1959, including Tall Cool One, and one in 1960) and an LP release, The Fabulous Wailers (released December 1959 on Golden Crest Records), put the Wailers on the national scene. Their 1961 cover of Louie Louie, which they recorded as a backing band for singer Rockin' Roberts, was the first to use the trademark 1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2-3 riff. Their version inspired other groups from the Seattle area, most notably the The Kingsmen of Portland, Oregon, to record the same song. The Fabulous Wailers' influence established the Pacific Northwest area as a center for musical innovation and the home of a long string of regional favorites playing a kind of raunchy, amateur, yet passionate, form of rock and roll, such as The Sonics, with whom they exchanged various band members and who recorded on The Wailers own Etiquette Records label.
They became popular around the United States Pacific Northwest around the late 1950s and the start of the 1960s, performing saxophone-driven R&B and Chuck Berry rock and roll. Their biggest hit was "Tall Cool One", first released in 1959, and they have been credited as being "one of the very first, if not the first, of the American garage bands."
The group was formed – originally as The Nitecaps – in 1958, by five high school friends:
John Greek (27 October 1940 – 6 October 2006) – rhythm guitar, trumpet
Richard Dangel (1 December 1942 – 2 December 2002) – lead guitar
Kent Morrill (2 April 1941 – 15 April 2011) – keyboards, vocals
Mark Marush (15 August 1940 – 9 August 2007) – tenor sax
Mike Burk (b. 1942) – drums
In late 1958, the group recorded a demo of an instrumental written by Dangel, Morrill and Greek, which found its way to Clark Galehouse of New York based Golden Crest Records. He liked the track and had it re-recorded by the band in Lakewood in February 1959; its title "Tall Cool One" was apparently suggested by Morrill's mother. Released as a single, it reached # 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and # 24 on the R&B chart. The band made the cross-country trip to New York to record an LP, The Fabulous Wailers, which was released in December 1959 and featured two vocals by Morrill as well as instrumentals. They also appeared on Dick Clark's nationally televised American Bandstand, and toured the east coast. A second instrumental from their first recording session, "Mau-Mau", made # 68 on the Billboard pop chart, but their third single, "Wailin'", failed to make the chart.
The band decided to return to the Northwest, rather than staying in New York as their record label wished, and they were dropped from their contract. Around the same time, they added lead vocalist "Rockin' Robin" Roberts (Lawrence Fewell Roberts II), a charismatic frontman who had previously been the singer with rival Tacoma band the Bluenotes. John Greek left the group in acrimonious circumstances, and was replaced by bassist John "Buck" Ormsby (Seattle, October 29, 1941 - October 29, 2016). Ormsby, Morrill and Roberts then formed Etiquette Records and, in 1961, the label released its first single, a cover version of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie". For contractual reasons the single was credited to Roberts, but was performed by the whole band. Their recording became a local hit and was distributed nationally by Imperial Records, but did not make the national chart. However, its style, with its trademark 1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2-3 riff, inspired other groups from the Seattle area, most notably the Kingsmen of Portland, Oregon, to record the same song.
The Wailers continued to perform locally and, according to Morrill, one of their biggest fans was the young Jimi Hendrix, then starting to perform guitar. The band performed both with and without Roberts, who studied at the University of Washington, the University of Puget Sound, and Oregon State University, eventually achieving a masters degree in biochemistry. They also occasionally featured teenage girl singer Gail Harris, notably on the live album The Fabulous Wailers at the Castle, recorded in 1961, which has been described as "undoubtedly one of the most influential albums in Seattle rock & roll history." In all, the band recorded and released four albums on their own Etiquette label between 1962 and 1966, as well as a succession of singles. They also helped instigate the recording career of The Sonics, whose first two albums were issued by the label, and helped begin Jini Dellaccio's career as a rock'n'roll photographer when they hired her to shoot cover photos for their album Wailers, Wailers, Everywhere.
Mark Marush left The Wailers in 1962 and was replaced by Ron Gardner, who also handled lead vocals; Dangel and Burk left in 1964 and were replaced by guitarist Neil Andersson and drummer Dave Roland respectively. Continuing to perform live as well as recording, the band added a trio of girl backing singers, known as the Marshans. Also in 1964, "Tall Cool One" was re-promoted by the Golden Crest label, and again made the Billboard pop chart, this time peaking at # 38. In 1965 Roberts made his final recordings with the group, and, in 1967, guitarist Neil Andersson was replaced by Denny Weaver. Roberts was killed, aged 27, in a car crash in late 1967.
The band split up in 1969, by which time Kent Morrill was the only remaining original member. Morrill, Dangel and Ormsby, with other musicians, reunited as The Wailers for occasional concerts from the 1970s onwards. In 1979, they joined with Burk, Gardner, and Gail Harris to play a reunion show.
Later activities
Ormsby re-established the Etiquette label in the mid-1980s, and issued a Wailers compilation, The Boys from Tacoma, in 1993. The Wailers' song, "Out of Our Tree", was featured in the 1998 CD version of the Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era collection. Several of the Wailers' tunes were also covered by The Ventures, and the two bands released an album together, Two Car Garage, in 2009 to celebrate their 50 years in existence.
Ron Gardner died in 1992. Richard Dangel died of an aneurysm in 2002. John Greek died in 2006, Mark Marush in 2007, and Kent Morrill died of cancer on 15 April 2011. Buck Ormsby died in 2016.
Duppy Conqueror
The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dem set me free again
Yes, me friend, me friend
Me deh 'pon street again
The bars could not hold me
Force could not control me now
They try to keep me down
Yes, I've been accused
Wrongly abused now
But through the powers of the Most High
They've got to turn me loose
Don't try to cold me up on this bridge, now
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The highest region
If you a bull-bucka
Let me tell you that
I'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror
Yes, me friend, me good friend
Dem set me free again, mm
Yes, me friend
Dem turn me loose again
Don't try to cold me up on this bridge, now
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The highest region
If you a bull-bucka
Let me tell you
I'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror
Yes, me friend, me friend, me friend, me friend
We deh a street again
Yes, me friend, me friend, me friend
Dem set me free again
Don't try to show off
Fi make you friend dem laugh, what a la-la!
For i will cut you off
And i will take the last straw
I'm crying, yes me friend
We deh a street again
Yes me friend, me friend, me friend
Dem set me free again
The bars could not hold me
Force could not control me now
The lyrics of "Duppy Conqueror" by The Wailers speak of triumph over adversity and the power of faith. The song begins with the singer expressing gratitude to his friend who helped him regain his freedom. He declares that not even bars or force could contain him once God intervened. He has been falsely accused and abused, but through the power of the Most High, he will be released.
The singer urges those who may try to hinder his progress to let him be as he seeks to reach Mount Zion, the highest region. He states that he is a conqueror of ghosts, or "duppies," and will not be intimidated by any "bull-bucka." The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "me friend" and concludes with the protestation that neither bars nor force could contain him now.
The lyrics of "Duppy Conqueror" are heavily influenced by Rastafarianism, a Jamaican religious movement centered around the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I, who was believed to be a divine figure or messiah. The lyrics express Rastafarian beliefs in the power of faith, the strength to overcome oppression, and the journey towards Mount Zion, which is a metaphor for the journey towards spiritual enlightenment or freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, me friend, me friend
The singer is greeting his friend.
Dem set me free again
The singer was previously imprisoned and is now free again.
Me deh 'pon street again
The singer is back on the streets after being released from prison.
The bars could not hold me
The singer was imprisoned but was not confined by the physical barriers of the cell.
Force could not control me now
The singer was not just physically free but also uncontrolled by any oppressive force.
They try to keep me down
There were efforts from someone or something to oppress the singer.
But God put me around. Yeah!
Despite the efforts of others, the singer was protected by a higher power who supported him.
Yes, I've been accused
The singer is admitting that he has been accused of something.
Wrongly abused now
The singer claims that the accusations made against him were unfounded and unjust.
But through the powers of the Most High
The singer attributes the fact that he is able to prove his innocence to something beyond human power and influence.
They've got to turn me loose
The singer expects to be exonerated of the accusations made against him and set free.
Don't try to cold me up on this bridge, now
The singer warns someone that he will not be stopped or prevented from reaching his goal, which is symbolized by a bridge.
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The singer wants to reach a holy place, which represents his ultimate spiritual goal.
The highest region
The singer aspires to reach the pinnacle of his spiritual quest by ascending to a symbolic high place.
If you a bull-bucka
The singer is talking to someone who is trying to prevent him from reaching his goal.
Let me tell you that
The singer wants to give his warning to the person trying to stop him.
I'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror
The singer is confident that he will overcome any obstacle in his path and achieve his spiritual goal.
We deh a street again
The singer and his friend are both back on the streets again after the singer's release from prison.
Don't try to show off
The singer warns someone not to try to impress anyone at his expense.
Fi make you friend dem laugh, what a la-la!
The singer is saying that if the person trying to show off does so, it will only make his own friends laugh at him.
For I will cut you off
The singer will not hesitate to end a relationship with anyone who tries to undermine his spiritual quest.
And I will take the last straw
The singer will not tolerate any interference or provocation from anyone.
I'm crying, yes me friend
The singer is emotional and is confiding in his friend.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rachelcosgrove2048
Oh, oh, op-bo, bo, bo-bo-bo
Oh, oh, op-bo, bo, bo-bo-bo
Yes, mi friend, mi friend
Them set me free again
Yes, mi friend, mi friend
Me deh 'pon street again
The bars could not hold me
Force could not control me now
They try to keep me down
But God put me around
Yes, I've been accused
Wrongly abused, now
But through the powers of the most-high
They got to turn me loose, mm
Don't try to cold me up
On this bridge now
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The highest region
If you a bull-bucker
Let me tell you that
I'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror
Yes, mi friend, mi good friend
Them set me free again, mm
Yes, mi friend
Them turn me loose again
Don't try to cold me up
On this bridge now
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The highest region
If you a bull-bucker
Let me tell you
I'm a duppy conqueror
Hit it (conqueror)
Yes, mi friend, mi friend, mi friend, mi friend
We deh a street again
Yes, mi friend, mi friend, mi friend
Dem set me free again
Don't try to show off
Fi make you friend dem laugh, what a la-la
For I will cut you off
And I will take the last straw
I'm cryin'
Yes, mi friend
We deh a street again, yea-eah
Yes, mi friend, mi friend, mi friend
@lew8431
Most people do not know of this side of his music, but without a doubt its the best
@deanwalker6262
Yup. All the old stuff he did with dub versions, like Hypocrites and mr. brown. The best
@anthonyakatonysmiff2461
yeah, isnt that something? the worst music is what is known, and the best remains an undiscovered great mystery!
@monicacristina5956
Gimme shelter n giuliano manfrdini?
Anyone?
@JackNapier420
I'm pretty sure most people know this music 😂 it's Bob
@LGaff1974
The best Bob is whatever is on. That’s how good he was. But Duppy Conqueror — this version or the one on Burnin’— are beyond special.
@AAIdjkeino
I listen this masterpiece on repeat until it soak through me like water soaking a sponge. Leaving me with watery eyes and a irie feeling. Bob Marley live forever.
@lanaranger9770
So eloquently put. Sounds like you could have written some songs for him.
@TonyWud
I hear Bob Marley in your writing. A blessing!
@100datbitch4
Do you feel irie??? Steel pulse now in my head