Bob Marley and the Wailers blended traditional Jamaican ska and rocksteady with American R&B and soul to popularize reggae music across the globe. Anthems like "No Woman, No Cry," "Get Up, Stand Up," "One Love" and "Redemption Song" made Marley, their writer and singer, one of the most influential and inspirational musical icons of the 20th century.
Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer originally formed the Wailers in 1963. The lineup changed frequently over the years, but Marley remained the group's primary songwriter and lead vocalist throughout its existence. Marley and the Wailers were known not only for their catchy, upbeat music, but also for their political and social commentary: Marley's lyrics addressed issues such as poverty, injustice, and racism, and his message of peace, love, and unity resonated with fans of all shapes and sizes.
After Marley died in 1981, his longtime label Island Records released Legend, a compilation of Wailers hits spanning from 1973's Catch a Fire to 1983's posthumous Confrontation. Legend is the best-selling reggae album of all-time, with more than 12 million copies sold in the U.S. alone.
