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Bob Marley
Bob Marley
The first rock star that proved you can be from a third-world-country & still conquer the world. If he would have done nothing except "Stir It Up" or Catch a Fire, he would still be known for introducing the world to reggae. Bob had been making waves down on the island of Jamaica (hey- I just realized he was signed to Island Records & he's from an island [isn't that neat?]) with the ska and R&B scene. Marley could mix protest & undeniable pop as skillfully as my previous write-up Bob Dylan. The original Wailers (Peter Tosh, Marley, and Neville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston) started out as a vocal trio in the '60's. Marley would take the band to legendary heights. The band would expand, just like reggae itself, from a simple ska/R&B feel & singles based approach to a whole new expansive groove. Marley would go on to release some of the 70's best music [1973's Catch a Fire and Burnin', 1974's Natty Dread, 1976's Rastaman Vibration, 1977's Exodus, 1978's Kaya, and 1979's Survival]. Unfortunately it all came to an end in 1980 when Marley was fatally stricken with cancer. Marley's transformative career & the quality in such a short span are something to be admired. I suppose there's a reason TIME magazine ranked Exodus the greatest album of the century in 1999. If anyone harshes my mellow, there is no one who can calm my nerves & put me to ease like the music of Bob Marley. I love Bob so much. It's crazy I could love someone so much. There's plenty of good reggae, but Marley is the best, he stands tall above the rest. Someone we'll see later, Lee "Scratch" Perry, is a close 2nd & he helped record Marley's earliest recordings before the band went on to global super stardom. Bob was known for great live shows and luckily there is a good selection of live albums. I would high suggest the 2012 Kevin Macdonald directed documentary, simply titled Marley.
Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Bob Marley
The first rock star that proved you can be from a third-world-country & still conquer the world. If he would have done nothing except "Stir It Up" or Catch a Fire, he would still be known for introducing the world to reggae. Bob had been making waves down on the island of Jamaica (hey- I just realized he was signed to Island Records & he's from an island [isn't that neat?]) with the ska and R&B scene. Marley could mix protest & undeniable pop as skillfully as my previous write-up Bob Dylan. The original Wailers (Peter Tosh, Marley, and Neville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston) started out as a vocal trio in the '60's. Marley would take the band to legendary heights. The band would expand, just like reggae itself, from a simple ska/R&B feel & singles based approach to a whole new expansive groove. Marley would go on to release some of the 70's best music [1973's Catch a Fire and Burnin', 1974's Natty Dread, 1976's Rastaman Vibration, 1977's Exodus, 1978's Kaya, and 1979's Survival]. Unfortunately it all came to an end in 1980 when Marley was fatally stricken with cancer. Marley's transformative career & the quality in such a short span are something to be admired. I suppose there's a reason TIME magazine ranked Exodus the greatest album of the century in 1999. If anyone harshes my mellow, there is no one who can calm my nerves & put me to ease like the music of Bob Marley. I love Bob so much. It's crazy I could love someone so much. There's plenty of good reggae, but Marley is the best, he stands tall above the rest. Someone we'll see later, Lee "Scratch" Perry, is a close 2nd & he helped record Marley's earliest recordings before the band went on to global super stardom. Bob was known for great live shows and luckily there is a good selection of live albums. I would high suggest the 2012 Kevin Macdonald directed documentary, simply titled Marley.
Bob Marley
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