is bob marley overrated?

not a bad choice, very soulful

jimmy cliff SHOULD have been the big jamaican breakthrough artist, many think

i am thinking about my funeral song

heptones - i shall be released?

i dunno...

 

I've read about his personal story, and I have to say, he's probably underrated, if anything. There's a lot more to him than what I think most people know. And of coarse his music is still the best reggai stuff I've heard.

 

I agree with the above poster. Bob Marley is underrated.

People obsess over his ganja smoking, a mild political message, and the "Legend" album.

There is so so so so so so so much more to Bobby... it would take me hours to put it in words.

Study the man... most of his best tracks are on much more obscure albums. His lyrics do not only speak to the people, they also speak to the individual at such a powerful basis. I've been listening to Bobby pretty much since I was born, and no other artist (hmm... maybe other than Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Queen) has had such an influence on my life.

There are many talented reggae artists. I was just listening to Peter Tosh as I woke up this morning, great artist. Listened to good ol' Jimmy Cliff to go to bed last night.

Something is different about Bobby's music. It transcends colour, time, and space.

 

ok, time for my two pennith.

Bob Marley is an absolute legend, he stood firm by his beliefs which ultimatley cost him his life. How many people can honestly look inside and say they have the integtrity he did.
He brought the reality of black suffering to white people, that before him were unaware or uninterested. Its fair to say that not all of his music is to my taste, but then nor is the Beatles but I would never dream of critisising their contributuion to music and the alteration of peoples attitutues.

Bob Marley RIP - Jah Know xxx

 

I do not disgaree that there are more talented reggae musicians, but i do not think as a whole Bob Marley is over rated.

He was able to rise up from arguably one of the worst ghettos in the world, being homeless and digging through garbage for food at times to becoming a successful musisicna and a cultural icon. He was able to bring the struggles of his people to the light in a fashion that no one will ever reapeat. He was able to raise awareness like no person had done before him, and in such a powerful and unique way, that there is no way he could be considered overated.

 

Bob Marley is underrated if anything. Much of his music is unheard and unaprricated. Many think he was all about ganja but there are only four songs from hundreds that even speak of marijuana.

 

hell i came to BOB through Eric Clapton-----he stole i shot the sherriff---and i got turned on

 

I'm sure I can remember reading a BM interview in which he himself rated others more highly - Dennis Brown was one I seem to recall. Or maybe he was just being modest.

I think much of his commercial success stems from the change from a vocal trio [The Wailers] using studio bands or whatever, to Bob Marley and rock-style backing band, thus opening up the possibilities for rock-style touring, access to non-reggae audiences, who in turn boosted record sales, which in turn got him daytime radio play [in the UK, at least] which in turn boosted record sales and so on...

 

I love Bob Marley. I haven't heard any of the artists you mentioned. I like 10 ft. Ganga Plant...I am a Reggae noob.

 

Just because alot of people like him, doesn't mean he's overrated.
Although songs like one love and three little birds are...

 

Bob Marley is in my opinion the best artist of all time.

He accomplished so much and leapt Reggae music to a much wider audience. I wouldnt have heard of hardly any Reggae music I know if it wasnt for Bob Marley and I truelly think his songs are brilliant, his older stuff like Catch a Fire when you watch him play in britain on some TV show its just flawless, they truelly feel the soul in the music.

I normally judge a musician by their live performances and you cant really flaw Marley.

That doesnt mean I dont hold other artists in such high esteem, Joe Higgs for example is a king, Jimmy Cliff is brilliant, Burning Spear, Lord Tanamo, King Tubby, Peter Tosh etc.... so many.

I dont understand how people can say Bob Marley is overrated really, either by accomplishments, success, the HUGE amount of charity work he did in Jamaica, his musics popularity and his messages appeal.

Just my take.

In Bob's words 'Every man has a decision.'