Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981) was the central figure in reggae music, a style of music that evolved from ska and rock steady in Jamaic in teh 1960s and 1970s.
His first recordings with the Wailers (whose members included Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer) show the heavy influence of R&B on ska. In general, ska is a bit faster than reggae and has horns featured more prominently.
With Marley as a spearhead, reggae became wildly popular in Jamaica. In the 1970s, it was embraced by many rock, punk and new wave acts, such as the Clash and Graham Parker. Eric Clapton's cover of "I Shot the Sheriff" (a Wailers song written by Bob Marley) was ahuge success in America.
As for Marley himself - he was one of those amazing talents who was both a brilliant songwriter (who could marry both spiritual and hedonistic themes, sometimes in the same song) and an outstanding and charismatic live performer. His impact on reggae can't be minimized. He was an innovator and a poet. Imagine Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, John Lennon and Bob Dylan rolled into one. That's what Marley is to reggae.
Among his most popular songs are "Lively Up Yourself," "Three Little Words," "Stir It Up," "Jamming," "Could You Be Loved, " "One Love" (which is featured in every TV commercial for Jamaica you've ever seen) and my personal favourite, "No Woman No Cry." Many of these songs have been featured in movies or been covered by other artists, including non-reggae artists. ("Redemption Song," for example, was recorded as a duet by Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer. And what does it say about Marley that two such different musicians would find common ground with him?)
I hate to add this, but I think another reason for Marley's popularity was his early death. He was only 36 when he died, and his reputation has only grown since then. In many ways, reggae in the past 25 years has struggled to find an identity. (I know dance hall has some popularity, however.)
There's a fine 4-CD compilation of Bob Marley's work. If you want a smaller package, the LEGEND album is a fine retrospective.
Hope all this helps.
Unrelated note: One of my favourite Christmas cards shows an old guy in a nightgown being awoken by Bob Marley, Who says "Hey, mon! Lighten up! It's Christmas." The caption reads: "On Christmas Eve, Scrooge was visited by Marley's ghost."
His first recordings with the Wailers (whose members included Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer) show the heavy influence of R&B on ska. In general, ska is a bit faster than reggae and has horns featured more prominently.
With Marley as a spearhead, reggae became wildly popular in Jamaica. In the 1970s, it was embraced by many rock, punk and new wave acts, such as the Clash and Graham Parker. Eric Clapton's cover of "I Shot the Sheriff" (a Wailers song written by Bob Marley) was ahuge success in America.
As for Marley himself - he was one of those amazing talents who was both a brilliant songwriter (who could marry both spiritual and hedonistic themes, sometimes in the same song) and an outstanding and charismatic live performer. His impact on reggae can't be minimized. He was an innovator and a poet. Imagine Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, John Lennon and Bob Dylan rolled into one. That's what Marley is to reggae.
Among his most popular songs are "Lively Up Yourself," "Three Little Words," "Stir It Up," "Jamming," "Could You Be Loved, " "One Love" (which is featured in every TV commercial for Jamaica you've ever seen) and my personal favourite, "No Woman No Cry." Many of these songs have been featured in movies or been covered by other artists, including non-reggae artists. ("Redemption Song," for example, was recorded as a duet by Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer. And what does it say about Marley that two such different musicians would find common ground with him?)
I hate to add this, but I think another reason for Marley's popularity was his early death. He was only 36 when he died, and his reputation has only grown since then. In many ways, reggae in the past 25 years has struggled to find an identity. (I know dance hall has some popularity, however.)
There's a fine 4-CD compilation of Bob Marley's work. If you want a smaller package, the LEGEND album is a fine retrospective.
Hope all this helps.
Unrelated note: One of my favourite Christmas cards shows an old guy in a nightgown being awoken by Bob Marley, Who says "Hey, mon! Lighten up! It's Christmas." The caption reads: "On Christmas Eve, Scrooge was visited by Marley's ghost."
