Roots Archives Forum

Bob Marley is, of course, reggae's most well-known artist. Many think of him as the king of the genre and the only one you need to know. I'm interested in getting a bead on what serious reggae heads think of him. As good as he's made out to be? A sell-out? A step on the path to 'deeper' reggae? Someone that you've burned out on? Someone that continues to amaze and inspire you to this day?

Feel free to cut loose with your thoughts!

I think it's a common opinion that he was very good and often great but certainly not the pinnacle of reggae. Personally I very rarely listen to him. And when I do pull out an album of his it's very enjoyable but not mindblowing. He's a blessing and a curse for the genre. Definitely more of a blessing I'd say though.

He is probably the least played artist at reggae-dances (at least in germany). Against this background, the term "Reggae King" depends on your perspective.

Some of his stuff sounds lightweight (in terms of sound) once you've explored the genre more deeply.

Personally, if we're talking about reggae artists who had major label deals, I listen to Peter Tosh more than Bob (though he probably recorded just about as much garbage as classic stuff).

I would say he was the most consistent at putting out quality songs. He is my favorite overall but I don't listen to him much anymore as I have heard his songs a million times. In my opinion his most popular songs on Island are the worst. I can listen to almost everything from his Ska output to some Island demos (I really wish he finished Bass Is Heavy)and enjoy almost all of it. I really don't like the I Threes at all they don't come anywhere near the great harmonies that Bunny and Peter we capable of. He is the artist that got me into reggae and sense then Reggae is pretty much all I listen to.

I love Bob but like kalcidis, I rarely play him. I do get annoyed that he is really the only artiste that gets any play in mainstream circles when there's so much great material out there that gets ignored. But that was never his fault.

Here in the U.S., it's rare to find a record shop whose "reggae" selection goes beyond Bob, Ziggy or UB40. Seriously. Half the time, you'll see an Eddy Grant card. Or my favorite "reggae" act - Johnny Clegg and Savuka!!!

That said, much respect to the Hon. Mr. Marley and his legacy. Love Legend, love the Lee Perry stuff but most of the Island material leaves me a little cold.

Bob is the gateway to deeper meditations of sound
check him out then dive into tropical richness :
ganja-soaked soundscapes,jericho brass sounding the
last horns to Armagideon, sit up pon a mountaintop
let the bass climb your spine and shake up your mind

soul music music for the soul

Bob Marley is imho very unique. His Lee Perry sessions are unbeatable still to this day. Lee Perry also recognized that and made LP 's with him before he was becomming a real star. The studio one period feels like he is learning with his wailers but also this period has got some real gems.

His creative output is imho at his peak at 1972/1973. The Island period he uses allot of old songs riddims. Therefore enjoyable and much needed to make reggae big and a serious gerne. Without bob marley this forum wouldnt excist I would think.

But I also listen hardly to bob marley. But I also listen hardly anymore to burning spear, big youth, eek a mouse etc. You always want something new and bob marley is a starting point so everybody did that. Eventually you end up chasing obscure and good 7'' and 12''

But everybody here know most of bob marley song by heart. I hope this answer more or less your question.

kalcidis wrote:I think it's a common opinion that he was very good and often great but certainly not the pinnacle of reggae. Personally I very rarely listen to him. And when I do pull out an album of his it's very enjoyable but not mindblowing. He's a blessing and a curse for the genre. Definitely more of a blessing I'd say though.

Perfectly put.

I would only add that without Bob I guess there would be a lot less reggae in the world, which is I guess what you meant by blessing

I don't understand "the curse" part, only "the blessing".
While many like to speculate, it's impossible to know what would have happenned to reggae without Marley's success, but it's fair to say that it opened the door for many to follow. I saw him in 1979, almost reluctantly, as by then I was discovering the richness of Jamaican music, and had the misplaced notion he was a commerical sell-out. But to witness his sincerity and passion, and the way he captivated the crowd was absolutely mind-blowing. And hearing The Barrett brothers on a PA big enough for a crowd of 18,000 people wasn't the worst way to spend an evening.

Personally I rate him as one of the best writers of the 20th century. His songs transcend space and time, and connect on the most basic of levels. No curse involved, pure blessings.