Is Bob Marley the GREATEST ever?

[metrocorazon]

Now I know thats a pretty bold statement. But lets analize Marley shall we?

First, there is no doubt that he was a great musician. Not many people in our lifetimes can truly match him on that as the guy took alot the sounds that already existed in his island and blended them with new ones.

Second his music reflected the people and pretty much gave a voice to the voiceless. Thats another thing that not many people have done as accurately and as accepting as he has. Many people have tryed this but usually end up coming out like sellouts or are not accepted by the "otherside". I think Marley's sound made it so that people weren't just screaming about a topic but feeling it and so people all across the board got his message and not just dismissed it as another dude with a grudge. The only other person that has done this as well was probably Springsteen and even he has 1/2 the people critizing him.

Lets also not forget that he was more than just politics and every now and again he just break out a jam song to make you wanna dance. And then there are those songs you can play when you are with your shortie about to do the nasty...

So he obviously covered all aspects of life in his music.

Third his music runs across generations and will always do so. There is such a timeless quality about his sound and message that I dont think any generation will get tired of listening to him.

So with that said there are alot of musicians who have one of these qualities but lack in the other. I cant really think of anyone else that has excelled at belending music, politics, religion, and making it so that everyone loves it. And even if we could name some others who have done it as well as he has, I dont think any of them can say they are deep rooted in people all across the globe as Marley.

[Cascarino's Pizzeria]

Originally posted by metrocorazon
Now I know thats a pretty bold statement. But lets analize Marley shall we?

First, there is no doubt that he was a great musician. Not many people in our lifetimes can truly match him on that as the guy took alot the sounds that already existed in his island and blended them with new ones.

Second his music reflected the people and pretty much gave a voice to the voiceless. Thats another thing that not many people have done as accurately and as accepting as he has. Many people have tryed this but usually end up coming out like sellouts or are not accepted by the "otherside". I think Marley's sound made it so that people weren't just screaming about a topic but feeling it and so people all across the board got his message and not just dismissed it as another dude with a grudge. The only other person that has done this as well was probably Springsteen and even he has 1/2 the people critizing him.

Lets also not forget that he was more than just politics and every now and again he just break out a jam song to make you wanna dance. And then there are those songs you can play when you are with your shortie about to do the nasty...

So he obviously covered all aspects of life in his music.

Third his music runs across generations and will always do so. There is such a timeless quality about his sound and message that I dont think any generation will get tired of listening to him.

So with that said there are alot of musicians who have one of these qualities but lack in the other. I cant really think of anyone else that has excelled at belending music, politics, religion, and making it so that everyone loves it. And even if we could name some others who have done it as well as he has, I dont think any of them can say they are deep rooted in people all across the globe as Marley.

Nope. Very good but dying certainly did wonders for his career.

Lennon & McCartney were much more influential and cranked out hit after hit after hit. No one compares to them IMO.

[metrocorazon]

Originally posted by Cascarino's Pizzeria
Nope. Very good but dying certainly did wonders for his career.

Lennon & McCartney were much more influential and cranked out hit after hit after hit. No one compares to them IMO.
Im not talking about hits. Heck, Britney Spears has more hits than Marley. Im talking about pure music and the way people relate to it as well as having musical talent. Meaning a pound for pound all around artist.

For as much as the Beatles did, their popularity and music died a generation ago. Their music lives on through other bands BUT kids today cant relate to them nor like their music. You wont see many kids playing "Yellow Submarine" at many parties where as you'd DEFINITELY hear Marley. Not even "Imagine" gets the respect it should.

I think Marley's music also transcends many cultural barriers as well, where as The Beatles are mainly North America and Europe(And maybe some parts of Asia due to US influence). Those are the only people that REALLY once cared about them. Not to say people around the world didnt know about them or heard their songs, but they weren't relating to many songs, it was purely for sound reasons.

Marley on the other hand is heard and felt by people all over the world. Just about everyone can relate to his music in one form or another. And people continue to listen to him as much as they did(maybe more) in the '70's.

My point is that while Paul and John are great and you have a valid point in bringing them up, their music didnt last the test of time. Derivatives of their music did but they themselves didnt.

[Cascarino's Pizzeria]

Originally posted by metrocorazon
Im not talking about hits. Heck, Britney Spears has more hits than Marley. Im talking about pure music and the way people relate to it as well as having musical talent. Meaning a pound for pound all around artist.

For as much as the Beatles did, their popularity and music died a generation ago. Their music lives on through other bands BUT kids today cant relate to them nor like their music. You wont see many kids playing "Yellow Submarine" at many parties where as you'd DEFINITELY hear Marley. Not even "Imagine" gets the respect it should.

I think Marley's music also transcends many cultural barriers as well, where as The Beatles are mainly North America and Europe(And maybe some parts of Asia due to US influence). Those are the only people that REALLY once cared about them. Not to say people around the world didnt know about them or heard their songs, but they weren't relating to many songs, it was purely for sound reasons.

Marley on the other hand is heard and felt by people all over the world. Just about everyone can relate to his music in one form or another. And people continue to listen to him as much as they did(maybe more) in the '70's.

My point is that while Paul and John are great and you have a valid point in bringing them up, their music didnt last the test of time. Derivatives of their music did but they themselves didnt.

You just revealed yourself as musically ignorant. "Didn't last the test of time"?! Just about everyone who followed the Beatles cited them as their #1 influence. It's not even debatable. If I had a nickel for every time I've read "I picked up a guitar after seeing them on The Ed Sullivan Show" I'd be......nearly as rich as Paul!

Anyway - I like Bob Marley. But just to be a devil's advocate - the Jamaican accent can be very grating after repeated listenings and a lot of reggae music is redundant and uninteresting "playing by the numbers." The Beatles changed musical styles with every album. Marley's song writing was great but the music was limited to the constraints of reggae. Back up your case if you can.

[afgrijselijkheid]

i don't like to pit the greats against each other in a ranking - bob marley's work is what i lovingly refer to as LIFE MUSIC... that's more than enough - no matter what kind of crap day i've had, all it takes is a few bars of 'three little birds' and i feel better - he was one of the all time greatest

[metrocorazon]

Originally posted by Cascarino's Pizzeria
You just revealed yourself as musically ignorant. "Didn't last the test of time"?! Just about everyone who followed the Beatles cited them as their #1 influence. It's not even debatable. If I had a nickel for every time I've read "I picked up a guitar after seeing them on The Ed Sullivan Show" I'd be......nearly as rich as Paul!
Right, thats what I said. People BACK then got influenced. People TODAY don't. Heck many people dont know any of their songs other than the REAL big ones. They get influenced by the band that got influenced by the Beatles. But their music has evolved through bands so much that they are no longer relevant.

Anyway - I like Bob Marley. But just to be a devil's advocate - the Jamaican accent can be very grating after repeated listenings and a lot of reggae music is redundant and uninteresting "playing by the numbers." The Beatles changed musical styles with every album. Marley's song writing was great but the music was limited to the constraints of reggae. Back up your case if you can.
Thats what made him so good. There were a thousand Reggae artist in Jamaica, but Marley had the vision to be able to change it up everytime. You cant tell me songs like "Redemption Song" is the same sound as "Jammin'".

And like I said its great that the Beatles are able to change their sound so dramatically, but no one really cares. Atleast not now. And even if a MILLION bands got incluenced by them in the 70's they were all prob from USA/UK. Even my pops who was alive in those days says The Beatles weren't that popular in South America. Even the Stones were more popular down there than them. And once Metal took over in the form of Sabbath and AC/DC no one even remembered who the Beatles were.

Another example of how Marley touched people is you see his face on soccer banners around the world TODAY. Ive rarely if ever(I think I saw a John Lennon once) saw a Beatles banner. Now thats not the definitive on things but its an example.

[Ferris]

Originally posted by metrocorazon
Right, thats what I said. People BACK then got influenced. People TODAY don't. Heck many people dont know any of their songs other than the REAL big ones. They get influenced by the band that got influenced by the Beatles. But their music has evolved through bands so much that they are no longer relevant.


Thats what made him so good. There were a thousand Reggae artist in Jamaica, but Marley had the vision to be able to change it up everytime. You cant tell me songs like "Redemption Song" is the same sound as "Jammin'".

And like I said its great that the Beatles are able to change their sound so dramatically, but no one really cares. Atleast not now. And even if a MILLION bands got incluenced by them in the 70's they were all prob from USA/UK. Even my pops who was alive in those days says The Beatles weren't that popular in South America. Even the Stones were more popular down there than them. And once Metal took over in the form of Sabbath and AC/DC no one even remembered who the Beatles were.

Another example of how Marley touched people is you see his face on soccer banners around the world TODAY. Ive rarely if ever(I think I saw a John Lennon once) saw a Beatles banner. Now thats not the definitive on things but its an example. I know what both of you are saying, however, what I think Cascarino is saying is that while teh Beatles have an influence on modern musicians whether they admit it or not. I like the Beatles and I'm young, and almost every single guy I know had their own "discovery" of the Beatles while they were teenagers. Most modern rock pays homage to the Beatles and there are beatles songs that if they were released today would receive airplay. I would challenge you with this question. It is undoubted that Marley is still played at parties etc., but how many people want to make music like him? How many people really "get" his message and don't simply like his music because its laid back and nice to listen to. He's a great artist and an Icon, no doubt, maybe one of the greatest of his generation, but the Beatles are definitely more influential.

[nancyb]

Marley's music is awesome. The Beatles' music is awesome. I love them both and I'd say they get equal airplay in my house.

[655321]

Marley is fantastic and is easily one of the greatest gifts to music (dramatic, I know, but I have no problem saying that). I've used him as a gateway drug, so to speak. I've found other Jamaican singers since...Alton Ellis, Big Youth, the Heptones, John Holt...and then the producers churned out one smoking track after another with different artist. Folks like Joe Gibbs, Lee Perry, Augustus Pablo, etc, etc...

I think perhaps Bob Marleys greatest legacy is that he introduced the world to Jamaican music that, once truly understood, can trancend any convenient label or genre that is slapped upon it.

[bungadiri]

While my personal preferences put Marley WAY above the Beatles, I agree with this:

Originally posted by bluedaddy19
i don't like to pit the greats against each other in a ranking - bob marley's work is what i lovingly refer to as LIFE MUSIC... that's more than enough - no matter what kind of crap day i've had, all it takes is a few bars of 'three little birds' and i feel better - he was one of the all time greatest

And I’ll toss in this about reggae, generally, just as an FYI.

NPR recently had a nice piece (http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1474004) on the release of the digitally re-mastered soundtrack to The Harder They Come, which the commentator pointed out was also very important in introducing reggae to mainstream America.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000003QGM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[bojendyk]

If I never had to hear that stupid "Don't Worry About a Thing" song again, or "No WOman, No Cry" again, it would be too soon. I like some of his stuff, but the fact that I can't walk by a frat house without hearing those two songs bugs the crap out of me.

In my opinion, the Pixies were the best rock band ever. But that's just me. ;)

[ruudboy]

Bob Marley inspired the Hip Hop generation, I read somewhere Curtis Mayfield was one of Bob's lyrical role models, I've also read Bob marley was Chuck D and Eric B's lyrical inspiration, these two kats are pioneers in hip hop, see what Bob did, it still comes back to him, Sting has even said that Bob was his main influence, as well the Clash, who were even hip hop fans.

When I used to play soccer, I would always listen to Bob before matches to get pumped up, he had that affect on me.

[ruudboy]

Even though Bob was a superStar in the Carribean, The Rolling Stones get credit for discovering him.

[Lowecifer]

I'm not a big reggae fan, but I do love Bad Brains.

[Mad_Bishop]

He's vastly overratted, overplayed and not even close to the best Jamiacan or reggae artist.

I could list ten jamaican or reggae artists who are mch better.

If the question was Most Important, then I would have to concede that as far as influences and popularity goes, he was.

[655321]

Originally posted by Mad_Bishop
He's vastly overratted, overplayed and not even close to the best Jamiacan or reggae artist.

I could list ten jamaican or reggae artists who are mch better.

If the question was Most Important, then I would have to concede that as far as influences and popularity goes, he was.

While I wouldn't say he was "vastly" overrated, I'll agree with this post.

[skipshady]

Originally posted by Mad_Bishop
He's vastly overratted, overplayed and not even close to the best Jamiacan or reggae artist.

I could list ten jamaican or reggae artists who are mch better.See, I don't really consider Marley to be a reggae artist. I've always thought of him as a Jamaican rocker with reggae sounds and influences.

But that is based on my highly unscientific arbtirary definitions of "reggae" and "rock", so back to the discussion at hand.

Anyway, the greatest musician of all time is JS Bach. He perfected the bridge between religious music and secular, more digestable music. He made music that played in palaces but also appealed to the masses. Without Bach, there's no McCartney. Centuries after his death, people buy and play his music. Why don't we wait 250 years and see if they're playing "Get Up, Stand Up" in concert halls. Then, we can talk about Bob Marley being the greatest ever.

[nancyb]

Originally posted by bungadiri
While my personal preferences put Marley WAY above the Beatles, I agree with this:



And I’ll toss in this about reggae, generally, just as an FYI.

NPR recently had a nice piece (http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1474004) on the release of the digitally re-mastered soundtrack to The Harder They Come, which the commentator pointed out was also very important in introducing reggae to mainstream America.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000003QGM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Now this is great news. My vinyl copy of that thing is most definitely hurting and a cd version would be great. I now know what to purchase the old man for Christmas.

[Cascarino's Pizzeria]

Originally posted by metrocorazon
Right, thats what I said. People BACK then got influenced. People TODAY don't. Heck many people dont know any of their songs other than the REAL big ones. They get influenced by the band that got influenced by the Beatles. But their music has evolved through bands so much that they are no longer relevant.


Let me see. A Rasta playing a brand of music particular to one small Caribbean Island (while we might appreciate reggae, there's an equal number of people who think it's just plain corny) versus a world-wide sensation like The Beatles? Sorry but none of your arguments have swayed me.

John Lennon SOLO had much more world-wide influence until his death. I don't even think this point is debatable.

[Matt in the Hat]

Originally posted by skipshady

Anyway, the greatest musician of all time is JS Bach. He perfected the bridge between religious music and secular, more digestable music. He made music that played in palaces but also appealed to the masses. Without Bach, there's no McCartney. Centuries after his death, people buy and play his music. Why don't we wait 250 years and see if they're playing "Get Up, Stand Up" in concert halls. Then, we can talk about Bob Marley being the greatest ever.

Bach's music was too mathematical. W.A. Mozart is the first and greatest rock star of all time. He could freak out on a piece of music and go in directions never heard before, yet in the end it still made sense

And the Beatles were $hit musicians. Everyone else does their songs better than them. This is where Marley gets points.