Whether you’re a reggae lover or you’re simply curious about the Jamaican legend, read on to find out more about Bob Marley.
Early life
During Bob Marley’s childhood, he was raised in a poor slum in west Kingston, Jamaica. His father, Norval Sinclair Marley, was the overseer of a plantation. When Marley was young, his father died of heart failure. His mother, Cedella Booker, had a child with a white man, but feared the trouble it would bring. Fortunately, a family friend returned Marley to his mother.
Bob Marley’s father died when Bob was 10 years old. At the age of 18, Marley returned to Jamaica to join his mother’s band. He formed a band called The Teenagers, which later changed its name to The Wailers. Despite a limited success, the group adopted Rastafarian beliefs. They also abandoned the rude-boy philosophy and adopted a rock steady style. The group was joined by Beverly Kelso and Junior Braithwaite.
Wailing Wailers
During the ska era, the Wailers burst onto the Jamaican music scene. They were led by Bob Marley and were accompanied by Bunny Livingston, Cherry Smith, Junior Braithwaite, and Aston Barrett. They were under a recording contract with JAD Records in early 1969.
The Wailers went through many lineup changes over the years. Marley’s death in 1981 didn’t affect their commercial success. In fact, they reached their apex in the U.S. with the release of Rastaman Vibration in April 1976. It was a Top Ten hit and the second of Bob Marley’s biggest solo hits.
After Marley’s death, the Wailers continued to play together, with various lineups, until their breakup in 2008. Marley’s son, Ziggy, continued with the Wailers Band.
The Wailing Wailers were a key part of Jamaica’s creative juggernaut. The band was originally called The Teenagers.
Rastaman Vibration
Among the greatest reggae albums of all time, Bob Marley’s Rastaman Vibration was the first to reach the Billboard 200. It peaked at number eight in the United States, making it the first Marley album to hit the top ten.
Although Rastaman Vibration reached the top ten in the United States, it did not generate a hit single. Instead, it made a steady climb up the charts.
The album was recorded during a period of turbulence in Marley’s personal life. He was in the middle of a dispute with Cayman Music, a record company.
The album was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami. It was mixed by Sylvan Morris. The album was also engineered by Alex Sadkin, a sax player in Las Olas Brass. Sadkin had worked with James Brown on his ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ single. He was noticed by Island Records owner Chris Blackwell.
Reggae music
During his lifetime, Bob Marley was the greatest reggae artist of all time. He sold over 20 million records and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His music speaks about injustices blacks face in the world.
The Bob Marley Museum is located in uptown Kingston, Jamaica. It is home to Bob Marley’s former home and his family’s legacy. It also serves as a tourist attraction. Bob Marley is the unofficial ambassador of Jamaica and his music continues to be popular around the world.
The Rastafarian movement was born in Jamaica in the 1930s and draws its beliefs from African and Old Testament sources. The movement focuses on peace, personal freedom and cultural unity. Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley are examples of spiritual leaders of the movement.
Relationship with Chris Blackwell
During Bob Marley’s time as a reggae superstar, he was associated with a legendary record executive, Chris Blackwell. The two worked together on nine studio albums, including “Natty Dread,” “Burnin’,” and “The Harder They Come,” which was nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Dramatic Music for the film “Dark Eyes.” Blackwell also founded Island Records.
Blackwell was born in 1937 in London, and grew up in Jamaica. He attended the prestigious Harrow School. His parents divorced when he was twelve years old. During his time in Jamaica, Chris Blackwell developed an interest in Rastafari culture, and developed an affinity for Bob Marley.
Blackwell first became acquainted with Marley through a mutual friend. When he heard an ensemble led by blind pianist Lance Hayward in Montego Bay, he decided to record an ensemble.