Bob Marley Biography and Top 10 Songs

Bob Marley has been one of my favourite artists fortour went on as planned with an injured Bob
a long time. I probably own more Bob Marley CD'sperforming on stage.
than any other band or artist with the exception ofBy the end of 1976 Bob Marley left Jamaica and
Wu-Tang. My friends mum D, is partly responsible formoved to London, England where he recorded two
my listening to Bob over the years because when Ialbums (Exodus, which had the hits: Exodus, Three
was little I used to like the song Jammin' and used toLittle Birds, Jammin', One Love and waiting In Vain,
play the 45 single I had of it all the time and I hadand Kaya which boasted: Easy Skanking, Kaya, Is
got the single off her. I would say I have a Bob CDThis Love, Satisfy My Soul and Sun Is Shining among
in my stereo 90% of the time (it can have 3 in at aits singles). While in London Bob was arrested for
time). Bob not only made good music but also thepossession of cannabis.
messages that the lyrics were about were of peaceIn 1978 Bob returned to home for the One Love
and freedom.Peace Concert to help with the peace effort and to
Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley was born in Jamaica onhelp calm the warring parties in Jamaica. At Bob's
February 6th 1945 and is the most successful of anyrequest both political leaders (Manley and Seaga)
Reggae artist ever. The album Legend has sold overjoined him on stage and shook hands. Babylon By Bus
12 million copies worldwide. When Bob was a child hewas released also in 1978 which was a live double
lived in the slums of Kingston's Trench town and hadalbum, the song Jammin captures the crowds wild
a reputation for "self-defense" which earned him theand frenzied intensity to Bob's performance.
title "Tuff Gong" which he and the Wailers used toSurvival which was released in 1979 was a political
create their own record label in 1970.statement about the suffering of the African
Bob and some of his friends (Bunny Livingston, Juniorpopulation. The album contained some controversial
Braithwaite, Peter McIntosh, Beverley Kelso andsongs such as Africa Unite, Wake Up And Live and
Cherry Smith formed the Wailers in 1963 but by 1966Zimbabwe. Bob was also invited to perform at
there was only Bob, Bunny and Peter left. TheZimbabwe's Independence Day on April 17th.
Wailers released their first album (Catch A Fire) inUprising which was released in 1980 was to be Bob's
1973 to massive success after their signing to JADfinal studio album and is one of his most religious
Records in London, England. Concrete Jungle beingalbums. The album contained Could You Be Loved,
the most successful song from the album. Soon toForever Loving Jah and Redemption Song (his
follow was the release of Burnin' which had some offamous lyrics being: Emancipate yourselves from
the Wailers most popular songs I Shot The Sheriff,mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our
Get Up, Stand Up and Small Axe. Eric Clapton alsominds...).
had huge success with a cover of I Shot the SheriffBob died on May 11th 1981 from cancer which had
which helped to elevate Bob into the public eye.started in his toe (due to a soccer accident) in 1977.
In 1974 the Wailers broke up, each to pursue theirBob refused to have his foot amputated because of
own solo careers but Bob still continued to record ashis Rastafarian beliefs which say that the body must
"Bob Marley & The Wailers" with his newremain whole. Over time the cancer had
backing band which consisted of Carlton and Astonmetastasized into Bob's stomach, liver, lungs and
Barrett, Junior Marvin, Tyrone Downie, Al Andersonbrain.
and Earl Lindo. Backing vocalists were Rita MarleyConfrontation was released after Bob's death and
(Bob's wife), Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt.contained the unreleased song Buffalo Soldier and
The new line-up had their first international hit withsongs previously only available in Jamaica (Jump
No Woman, No Cry which was on the Natty DreadNyabinghi and Rastaman Live Up).
album released in 1975 alongside other hits, Lively UpMy Top 10 Bob Marley Songs are:
Yourself and Rebel Music. The album Rastaman01. Lively Up Yourself
Vibration was released in 1976 in the US and was at02. Small Axe
the top of the Billboard charts for 4 weeks.03. Trench Town Rock
Two days before Bob Marley was going to embark04. Duppy Conqueror
on his Smile Jamaica tour Bob, Rita and their manager05. Could You Be Loved
were injured during a shootout inside Bob's home.06. Jammin'
The attack was reported as being politically07. One Love
motivated as many people felt the tour was a08. Redemption Song
support rally. Even though all concerned received09. Waiting In Vain
serious injuries they all made full recoveries and the10.