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44-517: The Wailing Wailers is the 1965 eponymous debut studio album by the Wailers, later known as Bob Marley and the Wailers . Released on the Studio One label, the album is a compilation of various recordings made between 1964 and 1965 by Neville “Bunny” Livingston ( Bunny Wailer ), Robert Nesta Marley ( Bob Marley ) and Peter McIntosh ( Peter Tosh ). It compiles what Clement Coxsone Dodd considered

88-513: A Miami hospital on May 11, 1981. A Bob Marley & the Wailers album, Confrontation , was released in May 1983, two year's after Bob Marley's death. It contained unreleased and demo songs recorded during Marley's lifetime. Backing vocals by the I-Threes were added to several of the songs to give the album some consistency. " Buffalo Soldier ", a single released from the album, was a top-10 hit in

132-577: A US tour to promote the album. One of the last performances that included Marley was in 1980 at Madison Square Garden. His final live show was performed at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh. By September 1980, Marley could no longer perform live. He sought alternative cancer treatments in Europe before attempting to return home to Jamaica. Marley's condition worsened on the flight and he died in

176-424: A break. Jimmy Cliff , Island's top reggae star, had recently left the label. His departure may have primed Blackwell to find a replacement. In Marley, Blackwell recognized the elements needed to snare the rock audience: "I was dealing with rock music, which was really rebel music. I felt that would really be the way to break Jamaican music. But you needed someone who could be that image. When Bob walked in, he really

220-470: A groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", " War ", " Stir It Up " and " Get Up, Stand Up ". The band formed in 1963 following self-taught musician Peter Tosh (1944–1987) meeting the singers Bunny Wailer (1947–2021) and Bob Marley (1945–1981). They developed a ska vocal group called the Teenagers. The group soon changed their name to

264-473: A lifelong interest in Africa, having visited Ethiopia briefly in 1978. Themes of African independence and pan-African unity dominated 1979's overtly political album Survival . Songs including "Africa Unite", "Zimbabwe" and "Wake Up and Live" made Marley's feelings plain, while the single " One Drop " employed a double-meaning of the reggae rhythm used in the song and a system of racial classification used in

308-553: A member of Toots Hibbert's touring band from the early 1970s onwards. They became the opening band for Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles , and from then on continued to tour. Jackson also became a key influence on later bassists, including Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare . In 2005, he won a Grammy Award as a member of Toots and the Maytals, for Best Reggae Album. He is married to singer Karen Smith. In 2018, he

352-531: Is a spin on the Rastafarian " I and I " concept of the Godhead within each person. The album Natty Dread was released in 1974, the first without Tosh and Livingston and with the I-Threes. It featured " No Woman, No Cry ", a seminal song in the Wailers' canon, along with "Lively Up Yourself" and the more political "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)". In 1975 a live version of "No Woman, No Cry", recorded at

396-931: Is considered one of the foundational songs of the rocksteady genre. The bass line of "Girl I've Got a Date" was allegedly duplicated in other international hits " The Liquidator " by the Harry J Allstars , and " I'll Take You There " by the Staple Singers . In the same year, he played bass on "Queen Majesty" for Pat Kelly (musician) and The Techniques , and in 1969, he played on Harry Mudie and Dennis Walks ' "Drifter." In 1970, still with Duke Reid, he recorded "Mabrouk" with Tommy McCook . The record's success meant that Jackson became in great demand for sessions at Reid's Treasure Isle recording studio , directed by McCook and often playing alongside guitarists Lynn Taitt and Hux Brown, keyboard players Gladstone Anderson and Winston Wright , and drummer Winston Grennan . Jackson

440-622: The Lyceum Theatre in London during the Natty Dread tour, became Bob Marley & the Wailers' first successful single outside reggae circles, reaching #22 on the UK singles chart. Perry released two compilation albums for Trojan Records in 1974, Rasta Revolution and African Herbsman , which contained songs from Soul Rebels and Soul Revolution Part II , respectively, and he

484-587: The Barretts forming the rhythm section on some tracks. Peter Tosh also released his first solo album entitled Legalize It . Marley and Livingston received co-writing credits on some of the songs. Most of the then-current Wailers band (the Barretts, Anderson, Downie) played on the record, with Rita Marley providing backing vocals. Following an assassination attempt at their home in Kingston in December 1976,

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528-479: The English leg of their Burnin' tour, and his refusal to play in the "freak clubs" that Island had booked the band. Tosh believed that producer Blackwell , whom he unfavorably called "Chris Whiteworst", was responsible for the bad relationship between the band members. He thought Blackwell favored Marley over the rest of the band, giving him more attention and money, and with the decision to release their albums under

572-639: The Marleys moved to London, England in early 1977. Most of the current Wailers line-up followed, with Marley also recruiting Jamaican-born, London-raised guitarist Junior Marvin . This line-up recorded the next Bob Marley & the Wailers album, Exodus , released in June, 1977. The album title (and title track) were conceived in response to Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley 's campaign slogan, 'We Know Where We're Going'. Featuring downbeat reggae rhythms fused with elements of soul, blues and English rock, Exodus

616-504: The Maytals , among many others. After meeting and recording with Toots Hibbert , and playing on the hit " Pressure Drop ", he played on Paul Simon 's 1971 recording, " Mother and Child Reunion " and on Jimmy Cliff 's The Harder They Come soundtrack. He played on Hibbert's records through to the 1980s, and has also played on records by other musicians such as Herbie Mann , Garland Jeffreys , and Lee "Scratch" Perry . As reggae became more successful internationally, Jackson became

660-582: The Sheriff". Legend went to #1 on the UK album charts and peaked at #5 in the USA, but it has stayed in the Billboard 200 and UK top 100 since release. It is officially the biggest-selling reggae album ever, with an estimated 28 million copies sold globally (as of 2024) Carlton Barrett and Tosh died (both murdered) in 1987. The Wailers Band was formed by Aston Barrett in 1989. Braithwaite

704-505: The UK. The music of Marley, Tosh and Wailer enjoyed considerable success as reggae music continued to gain popularity during 1980s. In 1984 Island Records released a Bob Marley & the Wailers 'greatest hits' album, entitled Legend . The album contains all ten of the Wailers' top-40 UK hits, plus "Redemption Song" and three songs from the Marley/Tosh/Livingston era, "Stir It Up", "Get Up, Stand Up" and "I Shot

748-435: The USA. In 1980, Bob Marley (absent Wailers) was invited to perform "Zimbabwe" at the country's Independence Day celebrations. In 1977, following persistent pain in his right big toe, Bob Marley had been diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma , a rare form of skin cancer. Doctors recommended amputation of the toe, but Marley refused for religious reasons; he also feared it would hinder stage performance. Bob Marley &

792-533: The Wailers asked their road manager Brent Clarke to introduce them to Chris Blackwell , who had licensed some of their Coxsone releases for his Island Records . The Wailers felt they were due royalties from these releases. Blackwell was not convinced, but he was impressed by their character. He thought they "exuded power and self-possession" despite being poor. Despite not having seen the band perform live, he advanced them £4,000 to record an album. He did not even require them to sign anything, feeling they deserved

836-505: The Wailers pressed on, planning extensive worldwide tours. The last Bob Marley & the Wailers' album released in Bob's lifetime, Uprising , appeared in June, 1980. An assertive affirmation of Marley's Rastafarian beliefs, the album contained the song " Forever Loving Jah ", the solo acoustic, folk-based " Redemption Song ", believed by some to be Marley's finest song and the successful single " Could You Be Loved ". The band embarked on

880-618: The Wailers toured Europe extensively in support of Kaya , resulting in the live album Babylon by Bus , also released in 1978. Marley and the Wailers returned to Jamaica in April 1978 to play the One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, aimed at calming political tensions and violence in their home country. Near the end of the concert Marley joined hands on stage with Manley and opposition leader Edward Seaga . Bob Marley had

924-576: The Wailing Rudeboys , the Wailing Wailers and the Teenagers ) were a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), Peter Tosh (Winston Hubert McIntosh), and Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston). During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry . Before signing to Island Records in 1972,

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968-539: The Wailing Rudeboys and then to the Wailing Wailers before settling on the Wailers. The band topped the Jamaican charts in 1964 with " Simmer Down ", which was recorded at Studio One with the rhythm section from the studio house band the Skatalites . "Simmer Down" was a message to the Jamaican rude boys to "simmer down, oh cool your temper" and became an overnight hit. The record played an essential role in changing

1012-604: The band recorded with renowned reggae producer Leslie Kong ; producing The Best of the Wailers , which they released later in 1971 as their fourth album. Over the rest of 1970 and 1971, the band worked with Lee 'Scratch' Perry, producing the bands second and third albums, Soul Rebels (1970) and Soul Revolution Part II (1971). During this time, the Upsetters members Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass) and his brother Carlton Barrett (drums) were recruited as instrumental backing for The Wailers. In 1972, while in London,

1056-405: The band released four albums. Two additional albums were produced before Tosh and Wailer departed from the band in 1974, citing dissatisfaction with their treatment by the label and ideological disagreements. Marley continued with a new lineup, which included the I-Threes, and went on to release seven more albums. Marley died from cancer in 1981, at which point the group disbanded. The Wailers were

1100-511: The bass-heavy sound of Jamaican music, and two tracks were omitted. The album released in April 1973, closely followed by Burnin' in October 1973. Burnin' contained the songs " Get Up, Stand Up " (credited to Tosh and Marley) and Marley's " I Shot the Sheriff "; a cover version of the latter was Eric Clapton 's first US #1 in 1974. In 1974, Livingston left the band due to various disagreements with Blackwell, including not getting paid for

1144-478: The best Wailers recordings from this period. They were accompanied by the Studio One backing band, The Soul Brothers. It is not a studio album in the conventional sense but was the first full-length LP released of the band's work. The album has remained in print since its release, but after the first release (which has a different cover) each release of the album was newly overdubbed to fit with musical trends of

1188-555: The existing bassist left. After two years with the band, he joined the Cavaliers, led by Lester Sterling . When the Skatalites broke up, Jackson was approached by saxophonist Tommy McCook , who was forming a new band, the Supersonics. Jackson joined McCook's band, and remained with them for five years. At his first recording session in 1967 with producer Duke Reid , he played on "Girl I've Got A Date" by Alton Ellis , which

1232-453: The greatest album of the 20th century and the album has continued to feature in best-of-all-time lists. In March 1978 the album Kaya was released. The record was coolly received by critics , who found it lightweight and uninspired following Exodus . Nevertheless, Kaya went top-5 in the UK and contained the hit single " Is This Love ". Kaya also contained new versions of three songs from 1971's Soul Revolution II . Bob Marley &

1276-548: The loss of Aston Barrett. In 2001, Catch a Fire was reissued as a double album, with the first part being the previously unreleased 'Jamaican' versions of the song without Blackwell's overdubs and the second part being the album as it was released in 1972. In March 2013, an overview of most of the music made by the Wailers prior to their signing to Island Records was published by the Roots Reggae Library . Jackie Jackson (bassist) Jackson

1320-486: The middle and Peter Tosh standing on the right, was also an inspiration for Walt Jabsco, the logo for 2 Tone Records ; the drawing was created by Jerry Dammers and Horace Panter and is based on Peter Tosh . All songs written by Bob Marley , except where noted. Side one Side two Bob Marley and the Wailers Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as the Wailers and prior to that

1364-551: The musical agenda in Jamaica from imitating foreign artists, to capturing the lives and spirit of Jamaica. Wailer, Marley and Tosh recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry and his studio band the Upsetters . They also worked with renowned reggae producer Leslie Kong , who used his studio musicians, called Beverley's All-Stars ( Jackie Jackson , Paul Douglas , Gladstone Anderson , Winston Wright , Rad Bryan, Hux Brown ) to record

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1408-567: The name "Bob Marley and the Wailers" instead of "The Wailers". Marley continued with a new line-up, which included the Aston Barrett (bass), Carlton Barrett (drums), Junior Marvin (lead guitar), Al Anderson (lead guitar), Tyrone Downie (keyboards), Earl "Wya" Lindo (keyboards), and Alvin "Seeco" Patterson on percussion. Additionally, the I-Threes provided female backing vocals. The three I-Three members were Marley's wife Rita Marley , Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths . Their name

1452-526: The next morning, I think it was in late 1963, we went to Studio 1 and recorded Simmer Down and some other songs. It was Peter, Bunny, Junior, Bob, and me. I will never forget. Sid Bucknor was the engineer, and Coxsone was also there along with Roland and Jackie Mittoo. We recorded Simmer Down about 10 times, probably because Dodd wanted to get the best cut, she said. In 1965, Kelso left the band. Marley, Tosh, Wailer and Braithwaite took turns on lead vocals. Braithwaite left shortly after providing lead vocals for

1496-403: The single "It Hurts to be Alone", leaving the band consisting of the trio of Wailer, Marley and Tosh. The band's first full-length album, The Wailing Wailers , was released the same year, a compilation of tracks recorded at different times. In 1966, they created a rocksteady record label Wail N Soul M . Constantine "Dream" Walker provided backing vocals from 1966 to 1967. In May 1970,

1540-536: The songs that would be released as an album titled The Best of The Wailers . By late 1963, singers Junior Braithwaite , Beverley Kelso , and Cherry Smith had joined the group. The line-up consisted of Braithwaite on vocals, Marley on guitar, Tosh on keyboard, Wailer on percussion, with Smith and or Kelso on backing vocals. Kelso remembered those early recordings fondly: After we rehearsed, under this big mango tree on Second Street in Trench Town,

1584-553: The text of a Haile Selassie speech. The album credits numerous songwriters, including Bob and Rita Marley, the Barretts and Marley's childhood mentor and friend Vincent Ford amongst others. Marley was in dispute with publishing company Cayman Music and sought to avoid contractual entanglements by putting the songs in the names of his family and friends, and provide them with potential future income. Also in 1976, Bunny Wailer (Livingston) released his debut solo album Blackheart Man , with Marley and Tosh contributing backing vocals and

1628-428: The time. The album had never been released on CD with the original track listing or cover until May 2016. The songs "Simmer Down" and "Rude Boy", recorded in 1964 and 1965, were youth anthems which established the Wailers as the leaders of the new movement. The band photo from the front cover of the 1971 re-issue (also used on various subsequent re-issues), with Bunny Wailer standing on the left, Bob Marley standing in

1672-464: The tracks to appeal to rock audiences in the United Kingdom and United States, to whom the band would be novel. To this end, he made the tracks sound "more of a drifting, hypnotic-type feel than a reggae rhythm". He restructured Marley's mixes and arrangements. The tracks were overdubbed with the help of Wayne Perkins on guitar and John “Rabbit” Bundrick on keyboard. The mix deviated from

1716-484: Was a mainstay of rocksteady music, and started working with other producers including Leslie Kong , Joe Gibbs , Lloyd Daley , and Sonia Pottinger but after a short break also continued working for Reid, where the band was known as the Supersonics. At Kong's Beverley's label, where the band became known as Beverley's All-Stars, he played on Desmond Dekker 's hits, including " Israelites ", as well as recordings by Nicky Thomas , Bob Marley , Ken Boothe , and Toots and

1760-453: Was a top-20 hit in the US and UK while the song " Exodus " was #1 in Jamaica. Exodus also featured numerous songs which would go on to be hits and iconic Bob Marley & the Wailers tunes in their own right, including " Jamming ", " Waiting In Vain ", a new version of 1965's " One Love/People Get Ready " and the carefree, optimistic " Three Little Birds ". In 1999, Time magazine named Exodus

1804-465: Was born in 1947 and grew up in central Kingston . His uncle was a well-known musician, Luther Williams, whose sister Mavis gave Jackson piano lessons. He attended a music school, and started playing bass after seeing Lloyd Brevett play with the Skatalites . He was also influenced by Motown records, particularly the bass playing of James Jamerson . He joined his first band, Ty and the Titans, after

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1848-483: Was murdered in 1999. The Original Wailers was formed by Anderson and Marvin in 2008, Cherry Smith died in 2008. Earl Lindo died in 2017. Alvin "Seeco" Patterson died in 2021. Bunny Wailer (Livingston) died in 2021. Keyboardist Tyrone Downie died in 2022. Aston Barrett died in February 2024. Donald Kinsey died in February 2024, on Bob Marley's birthday, February 6, three days after

1892-491: Was that image." The Wailers returned to Jamaica to record at Harry J's in Kingston, which resulted in the foundational tracks what would make up the album Catch a Fire . Primarily recorded on an eight-track, Catch a Fire marked the first time a reggae band had access to a state-of-the-art studio and were accorded the same care as their rock 'n' roll peers. The tracks were taken to Island Studios in London and worked on by Blackwell, with Marley supervising. Blackwell desired

1936-551: Was the copyright holder of several songs from these albums. These changes caused a major dispute between Marley and Perry, when the former saw the albums, six months after their publication, in the Half Way Road in England. Bob Marley & the Wailers' next album, 1976's Rastaman Vibration , was a breakthrough success in the US, reaching #8 on the Billboard 200 chart. The song " War " featured lyrics taken directly from

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