A Reggae Music Timeline

From the birth of reggae in the 1960s to its place in the music world today, follow the genre’s development through this reggae music timeline.

1960s: The Birth of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae denotes a particular style of Jamaican popular music that was influenced by traditional mento and calypso music, as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues.

1963: “The Ska is the Limit”

In 1963, the ska craze was in full swing in Jamaica, and the island’s leading record producers were scrambling to cash in. Ska’s popularity had been boosted by the success of several songs that merged the sound withother genres, including mento (a Jamaican folk music), American R&B, and calypso. The most famousof these crossover hits was “My Boy Lollipop,” a ska song recorded by fourteen-year-old Millie Small that became a surprise international smash.

Jamaican producers began releasing a stream of ska records aimed at the island’s large teenage population. Many of these records were recorded by vocal groups like The Wailers and The Skatalites, who would go on to help define reggae music. The Wailers’ 1963 debut single, “Simmer Down,” was one of the biggest hits of the year, selling over 80,000 copies in Jamaica.

The popularity of ska was short-lived, however. By 1964, Jamaican audiences were already beginning to tire of the sound, and many musicians were embracing a new style known as rocksteady. Nevertheless, ska remains an important part of Jamaica’s musical history, and its influence can still be heard in reggae and ska Revival movements around the world.

1966: Reggae’s International Breakthrough

The first real international breakthrough for reggae came in 1966 with the release of two singles, both of which went on to become classics. The first was “Simmer Down” by The Wailers, a track that spoke directly to the violence that was plaguing Jamaica at the time and helped to make the band one of the island’s most popular groups. The second was “Bend Down Low” by ska legend Justin Hinds, which proved that reggae could find success outside of Jamaica as well.

1970s: The Golden Age of Reggae

The 1970s was the golden age of reggae music. This was the era when Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer rose to prominence. Reggae music was a voice for the oppressed and a source of pride for Jamaicans. The 1970s was a decade of political turmoil, but reggae music brought people together and helped them cope with the hardships of life.

1970: “The Harder They Come”

The Jamaican film “The Harder They Come” starring Jimmy Cliff is released, bringing the sounds of reggae to a worldwide audience for the first time. The movie is a critical and commercial success, and the soundtrack – featuring songs like “Many Rivers to Cross” and “The Harder They Come” – becomes a classic.

1974: Reggae Goes Mainstream

Although reggae music had been around for over a decade, it wasn’t until the early 1970s that it began to gain mainstream attention. One of the first reggae songs to gain popularity outside of Jamaica was Eric Donaldson’s “Cherry Oh Baby,” which was a UK Top 10 hit in 1971. The following year, another Jamaican singer, Johnny Nash, scored a worldwide hit with his reggae-influenced version of “I Can See Clearly Now.”

By the middle of the decade, reggae was becoming increasingly popular in the United States as well. In 1973, Bob Marley & The Wailers released their album “Burnin’,” which included the song “I Shot the Sheriff.” The song received heavy airplay on American radio stations and helped to introduce Marley and reggae music to a wider audience.

In 1974, Marley had another major hit with his song “No Woman, No Cry,” which became one of his signature songs. The popularity of Marley and other Jamaican artists continued to grow throughout the decade, culminating in Marley’s historic performance at theOne Love Peace Concert in 1978.

1980s and Beyond: The Legacy of Reggae

Reggae music has been around for decades and has been a major influence on many different genres of music. The sound of reggae is unique and instantly recognizable. It is a genre of music that is often associated with positive vibes and good times. In this article, we are going to take a look at the history of reggae music and how it has evolved over the years.

1980: “Red, Gold, and Green”

After the release of Bob Marley’s “Red, Gold, and Green”, the song quickly became an unofficial anthem for the Rastafarian movement. The song celebrates the Rastafarian colors of red, gold, and green, which represent the blood of African martyrs, the wealth of Africa, and the lush vegetation of Ethiopia (the homeland of Rastafarians).

1995: “One Love”

Bob Marley’s song “One Love” is released in 1995, after his death. The song becomes an international anthem for peace and unity.