50 Years of Burnin' by Bob Marley and the Wailers
17 Oct 2023
This week marks the 50th anniversary of Burnin' by Bob Marley and the Wailers. Their sixth and final album with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, before both embarked on solo careers, this masterpiece not only solidified the global influence of reggae but also became a cornerstone of the genre itself.
'When Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh left The Wailers in 1973, it cannot have been an easy decision for either of them... In that time, they had tasted both success and failure and experienced for themselves the piratical nature of the Jamaican recording industry. Through it all they steered a course with unstinting hard work. The three were like brothers.' - Kate Simon
Written by Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, Burnin' features timeless tracks like 'Get Up, Stand Up,' an anthem for social change and activism, and 'I Shot the Sheriff,' later popularised by Eric Clapton.
Symbolising the band's rebellion against oppression and inequality, Marley's powerful voice and message resonated internationally, cementing his status as a musical icon and revolutionary figure.
The 3rd of November also marks the exciting re-release of Catch A Fire. The album has nine songs - two written and composed by Peter Tosh; the remaining seven were by Bob Marley. These 3CD deluxe and 3LP vinyl sets contain the same audio as the original studio album, a first official release for Live at The Paris Theatre, London, and a Sessions disc which includes alternate/extended/instrumental versions of album tracks.
Catch A Fire was an international breakthrough, introducing reggae music to a global audience. After Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh left, Bob Marley continued to perform and record music with a new lineup of musicians, collectively known as 'Bob Marley and the Wailers.' This new lineup included musicians like Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother Carlton Barrett, who played a vital role in shaping the band's sound - a fusion of reggae, rock, and soul.
Together, Bob Marley and the Wailers went on to achieve unparalleled worldwide success, solidifying their status as cultural figures and spreading the message of peace, love, and unity.