Bob Marley & The Wailers
Biography
Bob Marley & The Wailers was a Jamaican reggae band led by Bob Marley. The group formed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1963. Initially known as The Teenagers, the group consisted of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, with Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith joining later. They went through several name changes, including The Wailing Rudeboys and The Wailing Wailers, before settling on The Wailers. Their first hit single, "Simmer Down," was released in 1964 and topped the Jamaican charts. By 1966, Braithwaite, Kelso, and Smith had left the band, solidifying the core trio of Marley, Tosh, and Wailer.
Transition to Bob Marley & The Wailers and International Acclaim
In the early 1970s, the band began working with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry and added the Barrett brothers, Aston on bass and Carlton on drums, to their lineup. In 1972, The Wailers signed a contract with Island Records, a major turning point in their career that led to the recording of a full album. Their debut album for Island Records, "Catch a Fire," was released in 1973 and gained international recognition. This was followed by the album "Burnin'" in the same year, which included the iconic song "I Shot the Sheriff." A cover of the song by Eric Clapton in 1974 greatly increased Marley's international profile.
In 1974, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the group to pursue solo careers, leading to the band being billed as Bob Marley & The Wailers. The new lineup included the "I-Threes," a trio of female backing vocalists that included Marley's wife, Rita Marley. The 1974 album "Natty Dread" was the first released under this new name. Their international breakthrough came with the live version of "No Woman, No Cry" from the "Live!" album in 1975, which became their first hit outside of Jamaica. Subsequent albums like "Rastaman Vibration" (1976) and "Exodus" (1977) achieved significant international success, with "Exodus" being named "Album of the Century" by Time magazine.
Later Years and Legacy
Following an assassination attempt in 1976, Marley moved to London, where he recorded the "Exodus" and "Kaya" (1978) albums. The band's music was deeply rooted in Marley's Rastafarian beliefs, with lyrics often addressing themes of peace, love, freedom, and social justice. Bob Marley & The Wailers embarked on extensive international tours, playing a crucial role in bringing reggae music to a global audience. Albums like "Survival" (1979) and "Uprising" (1980) continued to spread their message worldwide. After Bob Marley's death from cancer in 1981, The Wailers Band continued to tour and perform, led by bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett. Bob Marley & The Wailers have sold over 75 million records worldwide, and their music continues to influence artists and movements globally.