Trench Town: Bob Marley

Trench town is a neighbourhood located in the capital city of Jamaica, Kingston. It is commonly known as the ‘Hollywood’ of Jamaica. Trench Town is the birthplace of rocksteady and reggae music, as well as the home of reggae and Rastafari ambassador Bob Marley. People who lived in Trench town were completely hopeless, poor and very little had jobs. Political tensions were at an all time high in Trench Town in the 1970’s. Along with the increase of crime came feelings of worthlessness and despair. People thrived for freedom in Jamaica during this era. However, Trench Town was where Bob Marley came to his fame. He used the town as an inspiration to create some of the most potent songs of all time which years on would still spring top of the

His inspirations were Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, and the Drifters. He himself went on to form a band with his best friends in 1963 called the ‘Wailing Wailers’ , when at first, he did not succeed as a solo singer. The group members were, Bob Marley, Neville ‘Bunny’ O’Reily Livingston, who was Marley’s old childhood friend, by 1964 the group also included, Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso and Cherry Smith. “Their first single ‘Simmer Down’ , went to the top of Jamaican charts in January 1964”. The group struggled financially and they split up for a while and Bob Marley went back to the United States. It wasn’t until 1972 that the Wailers became extremely recognised when they landed a contract with Island Records, founded by Chris Blackwell. The Wailers recorded a full album for the first time. They then went on to tour Britain and the United States in 1973, “performing as an opening act for both Bruce Springsteen and Sly & the Family Stone.” Their career blossomed dramatically when they went on to produce their second album that same year , Burnin’ which featured the hit song ‘ I Shot the Sheriff’. “Rock legend Eric Clapton released a cover of the song in 1974, and it became a No. 1 hit in the United States.” Reggae culture was becoming extremely popular ever since Bob Marley and the Wailers shone to fame. “In Britain in 1975 they scored their first Top 40 hit with ‘No Woman , No Cry’.” Bob Marley’s battle and dedication for freedom is reflected in his music. In his song ‘War’ his devotion to his faith outshines. As previously mentioned, Bob Marley used his own life and the world around him as an inspiration to produce some of the best music to this day. His music also introduced the music genre Reggae making it a huge success not only in Jamaica but worldwide. Bob Marley used his music to try challenge the views of people and try make Africa a better place where people are being treated