- … 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.
Soul Rebel
The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
On the hillside (ooh)
Not living good, yeah, travel wide
I've got work to do (oh)
If you're not happy, children
Then you must be blue
(Must be blue, must be blue) people say
I'm a rebel, let them talk
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me
I'm a capturer, that's what they say
(Soul adventurer) night and day
(I'm a rebel) I'm a rebel soul rebel
Do you hear them, Lippy?
I'm a capturer
Soul adventurer
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
On the hill side (oh)
If you are not living good, travel wide
Said, I'm a living man (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
I've got work to do
If you're not happy
You must be blue
I'm a rebel (ooh-ooh)
Soul rebel
I'm a capturer (ooh-ooh)
The lyrics to Soul Rebel by The Wailers express the idea of rebellion and adventure that defines the soul of the individual. The first stanza establishes the persona's identity as a rebel and an adventurer, someone who captures and explores the essence of their soul. The second stanza describes the beauty of nature, the morning sun on the hillside, and the persona's acknowledgment that they are a living man with a purpose to fulfill. The third and final stanza repeats the first stanza establishing once again, the persona's identity as a rebel and a capturer. The usage of the phrase "Soul Adventurer" alludes to the notion of exploring one's soul, and taking risks to learn more about oneself.
The song's lyrics can be viewed through a political lens as well. It was written during a time of political turmoil in Jamaica, and Bob Marley and the Wailers were voicing their opposition to oppression and inequality. The lyrics could be interpreted as a call to arms for Jamaicans, urging them to stand up against those who oppress them, explore their souls and fight for their rights.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I am a person who goes against the norms and marches to the beat of my own drum.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
I am an individual who takes control of my life and seeks out new experiences and adventures.
See the morning sun (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) On the hillside (ooh)
I observe the natural beauty around me as the sun rises on the hillside.
Not living good, yeah, travel wide
If I am struggling and not content with my life, I will travel far and wide to discover new opportunities.
Said, I'm a living man, said, I'm a living man
I am proud to be alive and present in this world and will make the most of my time here.
I've got work to do (oh)
I have important tasks and goals that I am striving to achieve.
If you're not happy, children Then you must be blue (Must be blue, must be blue) people say
If someone is not happy, they are perceived as sad or depressed by society.
I'm a rebel, let them talk Soul rebel, talk won't bother me
I am confident and unbothered by the opinions of others, even if I am seen as rebellious.
I'm a capturer, that's what they say (Soul adventurer) night and day
Others view me as someone who takes control of their life and seeks out constant adventures.
(I'm a rebel) I'm a rebel soul rebel Do you hear them, Lippy? I'm a capturer Soul adventurer
Reiterating that I am a rebellious individual who takes control of their own life and seeks out new experiences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ROSS ANDERSON, SIMON LAW, BOB MARLEY, MIKE WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francisco Santos Oliveira
ECE E UCARA BOM SINCERO CARISMATICO SERTO DO CEU OBIGETIVO CUNPRIU E CUNPRI ATE NOS DIAS DI HOJE....
Francisco Santos Oliveira
ECE E UCARA BOM SINCERO CARISMATICO SERTO DO CEU OBIGETIVO CUNPRIU E CUNPRI ATE NOS DIAS DI HOJE....
@jesrcontreras1
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
See the morning sun
On the hillside
Not living good, travel wide
Said I'm a living man
I've got work to do
If you're not happy, children
Then you must be blue
Must be blue, people say
I'm a rebel, let them talk
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me
I'm a capturer, that's what they say
Soul adventurer, night and day
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
Do you hear them lippy
I'm a capturer, gossip around the corner
Soul adventurer, How they adventure on me
But, see the morning sun
On the hillside
Not living good, travel wide
Said I'm a living man
I've got work to do
If you're not happy, then you must be blue
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
Do you hear me
I'm a rebel, rebel in the morning
Soul rebel, rebel at midday time
@bornfree8677
@@hellobiafra
It's from "BoB Marley" and the Wailer". "BoB Marley" is the Artise.
I don't show of. I just said "my freinds".
If they did group up then. They were still the "Wailers".
But hadn't gone public with their title yet.
I agree a "Wise man" can learn each day too like any other.
I'm not saying you can't know. Because you can. I can admit my wrongs.
But 'BoBs the Artise, therefore it's him and the Wailers.
😀 🌴🎵🌴
@ninjah3952
TRADUCTION EN FR
Je suis un rebelle
Un rebelle dans l’âme
Je suis celui qui capture
Un aventurier dans l’âme
Regardez le soleil se lever le matin
Sur le flanc de la colline
Si vous ne vivez pas bien
Alors cassez-vous !
Je suis un homme vivant
Et j’ai une mission à accomplir
Si vous n’êtes pas contents
Alors soyez tristes !
Je suis un rebelle
Un rebelle dans l’âme
Je suis celui qui capture
Un aventurier dans l’âme
@espantapajaross
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
Soy un rebelde, un alma rebelde.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
Soy un captor, un alma aventurera.
See the morning sun
Mira el sol de la mañana
On the hillside
sobre la colina.
Not living good (yea), travel wide
No vivir bien, viajar por completo.
Said I'm a living man
Digo que soy un hombre vivo,
I've got work to do
tengo trabajo que hacer.
If you're not happy, children
Si no son felices, niños,
Then you must be blue, (Must be blue)
entonces deberían estar tristes (estar tristes).
People say
La gente dice...
I'm a rebel, (let them talk)
Soy un rebelde (déjenlos hablar),
Soul rebel, (talk won't bother me)
un alma rebelde (hablen, no me molesta),
I'm a capturer, (that's what they say)
soy un captor (eso es lo que dicen),
Soul adventurer, (night and day)
un alma aventurera (de noche y de día).
I'm a rebel, (I'm a rebel)
Soy un rebelde (soy un rebelde),
Soul rebel, (Do you hear them lippy?)
un alma rebelde (¿no los escuchas molestos?).
I'm a capturer, (gossip around the corner)
Soy un captor (chismes a la vuelta de la esquina),
Soul adventurer, (how they adventure on me)
un alma aventurara (cómo me aventuran).
See the morning sun
Mira el sol de la mañana
On the hillside
sobre la colina.
Not living good (yea), travel wide
No vivir bien, viajar por completo.
Said I'm a living man
Digo que soy un hombre vivo,
I've got work to do (must be blue)
tengo trabajo que hacer (debe ser triste).
If you're not happy, then you must be blue
Si no estás feliz, entonces debes estar triste.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
Soy un rebelde, un alma rebelde.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
Soy un captor, un alma aventurera.
Do you hear me?
¿Me escuchas?,
I'm a rebel,( rebel in the morning)
soy un rebelde (rebelde en la mañana),
Soul rebel, (rebel at midday time)
un alma rebelde (rebelde al mediodía).
@felipebragadiniz4764
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
See the morning sun, the morning sun,
On the hillside.
If you're not living good, travel wide,
You gotta travel wide.
Said I'm a living man,
And I've got work to do.
If you're not happy, children,
Then you must be blue,
Must be blue, people say.
I'm a rebel, let them talk,
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me.
I'm a capturer, that'w what they say,
Soul adventurer, night and day.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
Do you hear them lippy.
I'm a capturer, gossip around the corner,
Soul adventurer. How they adventure on me.
But, see the morning sun, the morning sun,
On the hillside.
If you're not living good, travel wide,
You gotta travel wide.
Said I'm a living man,
I've got work to do.
If you're not happy, then you must be blue,
Must be blue, people say.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
Do you hear me?
I'm a rebel, rebel in the morning.
Soul rebel, rebel at midday time.
@NoMady688
I'm a rebel, let them talk
O que dirão quando eu (Bob Marley) me declarar um rebelde ?
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me
No Brasil nós usamos a frase "O que vem de baixo não me ofende" faz uma referência a satanás que está no inferno e só fala coisas malvadas, antigamente costumava dizer isso muito caso você tentasse me provocar.
Exemplo
Consegue plabtar bananeira ? Se nao consegue é porque é bobo
Eu: o que vem de baixo nao me ofende. 😂😂😂
I'm a capturer, that's what they say
Prendo conhecimento, prendo sabedoria.
Soul adventurer, night and day
Mas alma desbravadora de novidades, noite e dia.
@seanwhyte6964
RIP Bob
RIP Peter
RIP Bunny
RIP Scratch
RIP Carly
Long Live Family Man
@-Atmos1
Eternally Blessed
@sebastiannardino2983
RIP Alvin Secco Paterson
@paulaharte9384
Legends
@donleon9243
RIP Joseph "Jo Mersa" Marley
@AS-wj1du
Imagine were Bob still alive. Rita must miss him. 40 odd years wow 😢
@GuilhermeFerreira-jo6lh
The power of this song is something that I can’t explain. It something that you have to feel coming directly from the soul. No words to thank Bob for the magic of his songs.
@RedRedRedRed
THAT BASS MAKES ME AMAZINGLY CRAZY EVERYTIME <3