Bob Marley‘s mainstream music career lasted for less than 20 years. However, in that short amount of time, Marley served as a reggae music ambassador, a political activist, and a revolutionary during a time of great conflict in his native Jamaica. Numerous examples prove all of this. However, one of the more notable examples is his infamous 1977 album, Exodus, which was released on this day, June 3, in 1977.
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While Bob Marley’s album catalog is incredibly successful and well-known, his most popular album is undoubtedly Exodus. The nine-track album features the staple singles “Exodus”, “Waiting In Vain”, “Jamming”, and “Three Little Birds”. Upon its release, the album peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 8 on the UK charts.
Other than its chart success, Exodus made massive cultural waves. To this day, Marley’s album remains timeless, fresh, impactful, and astoundingly influential. Four years after the release of Exodus, Bob Marley passed away at 36 years old due to an untreated case of melanoma. Following his passing, Bob Marley received an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.
The Grand Accolades and Everlasting Relevance of Bob Marley’s ‘Exodus’
Ever since Marley released his iconic album in 1977, publications, artists, and other entities have praised the album consistently. Most notably, Time Magazine called it the Album of the Century in 1999. The publication stated that it was “a political and cultural nexus, drawing inspiration from the Third World and then giving voice to it the world over.” In addition, Rolling Stone ranked Exodus at No. 71 on their “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.
According to Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella, Exodus remains relevant due to its timeless social implications. She told the BBC in 2022, “The message is still relevant. Unfortunately, not everything has changed for the better.”
“Exodus is not really an angry record,” she continued. “It’s really a cry about every kind of situation he’s gone through.”
Exodus is just one of those albums that seemingly will never not remain in listening circulation. Now, why that is, is in fact up to the listener who decides to press play. Regardless, Marley introduced his album to the world on this day. And for the foreseeable future, it will remain one of the greatest albums of all time.
Photo by Erica Echenberg/Redferns
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