Download Free Bob Marley * Songs

Bob Marley music biography continued...

attempts came at the beginning of the sixties but it wasn't until 1964, as a founding member of a group called the Wailing Wailers, that Bob first hit the Jamaican charts. Led by Marley, the Wailer's consisted of Peter Mclntosh and Bunny Livingston. Mclntosh later shortened his surname to Tosh while Livingston was soon called Bunny Wailer. In 1970 Aston Familyman Barrett and his brother Carlton (bass and drums, respectively) joined The Wailers rounding out Jamaica's hottest band.
Bob Marley and the Wailers first started the climb to international fame in 1972, when they signed with Island Records and released Catch a Fire. This was followed a year later by Burnin', a disc that included such older Bob Marleyr songs as "Duppy Conquerer," "Small Axe," and "Put In On," together with tracks like "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot The Sheriff" (which was also recorded by Eric Clapton, who had a #1 hit with it in America). In 1975 group released the Natty Dread album, with the chart topping single, "No Woman No Cry." While Bunny and Peter left the group, Bob Marley continued with the band. In 1976, his Rastaman Vibration cracked the American charts. It was, for many, the clearest musical explanation yet of Marley's music and beliefs, including such tracks as "Crazy Baldhead," "Johnny Was," "Who The Cap Fit" and, perhaps most significantly of all, "War," the Iyrics of which were taken from a speech by Emperor Haile Selassie. He followed up with Exodus, which contained such hits as "Jamming" and "Waiting in Vain."
Marley toured extensively to solidify his international star status, and was much beloved the world over for his special blend of island music ranging from reggae to ska. In 1979, at the end of the European tour, Bob Marley & The Wailers went to America. Marley played two shows at Madison Square Garden but, immediately afterwards became seriously ill and was diagnosed with cancer. He died in a Miami Hospital on May 11, 1981 at the age of 36. Long gone, but never forgotten this revolutionary artist remains as beloved today as when he first started playing his inimitable brand of music.