The Legendary Wailers Essay, Research Paper

Jomo Ent. & Terminus presents The Legendary Wailers

? The Legendary Wailers performed African Herbsman on Tuesday, September 14, 1999. This particular song promotes black equality and political independence, which is a primary focus of African American Psychology.

African Herbsman

written by – Richie Havens

lead vocals – Bob Marley

released in – 1971

produced by – Lee “Scratch” Perry

Old twinkling there

Can’t see the right roads, when the streets are bend

The old slaveman, might grind slow, but it grinds fine, yeah

African herbman, why linger on, just concentrate, ’cause heaven lives on

Retired slaveman, will look with a scorn, with a transplanted heart

[guess how quick they had to part, guess how quick they had to part]

The remebrance of today, is the sad feeling of tomorrow, oh [guess how

quick they had to part] oh yeah

African herbman, seize your time, I’m taking illusion on the edge of my mind

I’m taking loses down through my life, down through my life [guess how

quick they had to part, guess how quick they had to part]

Did they part, yes they part

In remembrance of today [guess how quick they had to part]

African herbman, why linger on, just concentrate ’cause your heaven

lives on

Retired slaveman, will look with a scorn

With a transplanted heart [guess how quick they had to part, guess how

quick they had to part]

In remembrance of today, brings sad feelings of tommorrow [guess how

quick they had to part]

But lead me on, oh lord I pray

[African herbman, African herbman, African herbman] African herbman

African herb…

The foundation of The Wailers was formed in 1963 and consisted of vocalists Bob Marley, Bunny Livingston, and Peter Tosh. Unfortunatley, the foundation crumbled in 1973, and Bob Marley left the band. Bob Marley went on to become the first Jamaican reggae performer to achieve significant international stardom. However, at the same time, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston embarked on a successful tour under The Legendary Wailers. Even though the bands that have backed The Legendary Wailers changed throughout the years, these two stayed together and consistently put out brilliant and groundbreaking music. On Tuesday, September 14, 1999, I experienced the wonder of The Legendary Wailers at the Georgia Theater.

The group’s recordings are in a style called ska, a hybrid of New Orleans rhythm and blues and Jamaican mento. Mento was the first of the reggae styles. By the late 1960s, influences from United States rhythm and blues, Jamaican folk rhythm, and dub (rhythmic, improvised verses) were synthesized into the rock-steady and poppa-top styles, and The Legendary Wailers emerged as a rising talent in this new genre of Jamaican music.

The performance at the Georgia Theater is relevant to African American Psychology because it promotes black equality, diversity, acceptance, and love. In 1967, Bunny Wailer converted from Christianity to Rastafarianism, a religion that has had a profound influence on reggae music. The Rastafarian movement of this period, among other beliefs, recognized Haile Selassie I, king of Ethiopia, as the living God; praised the spiritual effects of marijuana; and endorsed black racial equality. Influenced by the Rastafarian movement, The Legendary Wailers’ music contains elements of spiritualism and mysticism. Some songs call for personal freedom through revolution, while others embrace carefree attitudes toward life or convey stories of love. As one can see, this is particularly related to the content of an African American Psychology course.

During the band’s greatness, their music came to be closely associated with the movement toward black political independence and abolition of slavery, a movement prominent in the United States at the time. The Legendary Wailers’ music has remained highly popular, and for many it has continued to symbolize the hopes of the downtrodden for a better life. In my opinion, The Legendary Wailers’ performance at the Georgia Theater was a success because it spread a positive message about the equality of blacks and the need for diversity and acceptance. In addition, I like the band because the clarity, conviction, and sincerity of The Legendary Wailers’ performances, and their unique, melodic style of songwriting, have influenced many pop-music artists, including songwriter Stevie Wonder and rock guitarist Eric Clapton.