You may not realize it, but when I was growing up, Bob Marley was considered a prophet. I remember when Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers performed at the racetrack on St. Croix and some concertgoers stood up to dance. They were swiftly reprimanded for being disrespectful in front of the son of the prophet. I was sure to keep my seat.
It makes sense when you consider the origin of reggae music—as the voice of people demanding change in 1960s Jamaica. Isn’t it amazing that such a significant musical genre is only about 60 years old? And that it so swiftly made its way around the world from a Caribbean island? How did that even happen?
It turns out that one of the most significant ways that the music was transmitted from Kingston to the world was via the movie, The Harder They Come, starring reggae star Jimmy Cliff. The 1972 film had an all-star soundtrack, obviously dominated by Cliff’s title track, as well as “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Sitting In Limbo,” and “Many Rivers to Cross”—all joyful classics.
More notable tracks include “Rivers of Babylon” by The Melodians, “Sweet and Dandy” and “Pressure Drop” by The Maytals, and Desmond Dekker’s “007 (Shanty Town).” You can find the entire track listing here. What a symphony! Globally, there was interest in this all-Jamaican film for its moxie—unleashing a fresh, interesting, important genre of music that physically feels good to listen to. Couple that joyful sound with emerging interest in marijuana—associated with the music by its ties to Rastafari—and reggae was officially fascinating.
Meanwhile Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and Bob Marley captivated audiences as The Wailers, with the dynamic Marley front and center. If you think about it, all prophets must have star quality or else no one would pay attention to their message. Luckily, Marley was a star who used his talents to inspire positive change in Jamaica and the world. And that is why Crucians—at least when I was in high school—respect him as a prophet.
Pampalehleh will be back next week to continue our examination of reggae, rockers, and ska music. Stay safe!
Movies, Marley & Mary Jane