Bob Marley - Reggae Legend, Rasta Prophet.

‘Catch A Fire’ with Island Records

 Their big break came when Chris Blackwell of Island Records signed them in 1972.  Island had a reputation for signing progressive artists and groups such Free, Jethro Tull, Traffic, Cat Stevens, King Crimson, and Fairport Convention. 

 Previously most reggae music was found on singles or cut-price compilation albums, so this was a massive act of faith by Blackwell.  Even so, putting his money where his mouth was, he also gave them a £4,000 advance and access to state of the art recording studios to make their first album.  

The finished album was called ‘Catch A Fire.’  Island did an excellent job packaging and promoting the album beginning their rise to international recognition and stardom.

 ‘Burnin,’’ their second album

 The following year they made their second album, “Burnin,’” mixing new songs  ‘Get Up Stand Up’ and ‘I Shot The Sheriff’ (Eric Clapton’s cover version topped the U.S . charts) with some of their older material, including  ‘Duppy Conqueror,’ ‘Put In On,’ and ‘Small Axe.’

 The ‘Natty Dread’ Album

 The ‘Natty Dread’ Album, released in 1975, comprised of recording of the Wailer’s performance on a European tour.  They also released the classic single ‘No Woman No Cry,’ with both making the British charts.  Despite the success both Bunny and Peter McIntosh left the Wailers to pursue solo careers.  The I-Threes, a female backing trio consisting of his wife Rita, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt now provided backing vocals for the group.

 The ‘Rastaman Vibration’ Album

  In 1976, the ‘Rastaman Vibration’ was released making theU.S.charts. Included were such tracks as ‘Johnny Was,’ ‘Who The Cap Fit’ and ’Crazy Baldhead,’ and possibly more importantly the song ‘War,’ whose lyrics had been adapted from an address the Emperor Haile Selassie gave before the United Nations General Assembly in 1963 and went right to the heart of Marley’s beliefs.

‘Exodus’ the Album

 The release of the album ‘Exodus’ in 1977, saw Bob Marley as the front man for the Wailers rise to international stardom.  The album spent 56 weeks in the British charts and providing the threeUK hit singles, ‘Exodus,’ ‘Jamming,’ and ‘Waiting in Vain.’

 ‘Kaya’ the Album

 Marley and the Wailers changed the mood and followed with ‘Kaya’   in 1978 which was renowned for its love songs and for praising the attributes of ganga.

From this album came two singles, ‘Satisfy My Soul’ ‘Is This Love.’.

The One Love Peace Concert, 1978

In April, 1978, Marley returned home to Jamaicato play the One Love Peace Concert.  Jamaican Prime Minister, Michael Manley and his political opponent, Edward Seaga, Leader of the Opposition were present at the concert.  At Marley’s behest the two came on stage and shook hand with each other.

He was also honoured by the United Nations who awarded him their Medal of peace.

At the end of 1978 he made his first visit to Africa, starting in Kenya and then travelling on to Ethiopia, the spiritual centre of his religion.

He also returned to Africa in 1980 for the inauguration of the new independent black African Government of Zimbabwe and to play at the Independence Ceremony. This was widely seen as a hugely significant honour for Bob Marley and the Wailers and actively demonstrated their growing significance in theThird World.

The ‘Survival’ album, 1979

The ’Survival’ album was more than a celebration of Africa; it was a call for Africans to unite and free themselves.   Songs included ‘Zimbabwe,’ ‘Ambush In The Night,’ ‘‘Africa Unite,’ and ‘Much Trouble In The world.”  The front cover of the album displayed the flags of 47 African nations and a flag of Papua New Guinea which was included to demonstrate Marley’s regard for oppressed tribe’s people of the world.  The album was partially censored in South Africa which was still under the apartheid regime at the time.