Get Up Stand Up

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic "Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley & The Wailers from their 1973 album Burnin', and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the revolutionary vibes. This song, a powerful call to action co-written by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, was inspired by Marley’s visit to Haiti in the early 1970s, where he witnessed extreme poverty that echoed the struggles of his own upbringing in Kingston’s Trenchtown. According to filmmaker and reggae archivist Esther Anderson, Marley penned the song during a tour of Haiti, a time marked by the oppressive rule of dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, whose regime was notorious for human rights abuses. The song’s militant tone, which grows more intense with each verse, reflects Peter Tosh’s uncompromising influence, as he was known for delivering messages with unflinching directness. uDiscoverMusic notes that the track’s release on Burnin' proved reggae was no mere novelty but a serious art form with global resonance.

One memorable story about "Get Up, Stand Up" comes from artist Ben Harper, who shared a vivid childhood memory from a 1978 Bob Marley concert at the Starlight Amphitheater. During the performance of the song, Peter Tosh, who was then opening for The Rolling Stones, made an unannounced appearance, grabbed the microphone from Marley, and sang the final verse to thunderous applause. This moment, recounted on Harper’s Live at the Hollywood Bowl DVD, captured the song’s unifying power. The track was also the last song Marley performed live, closing a 20-song set on September 23, 1980, at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, despite his battle with cancer. He collapsed soon after, marking the end of his performing career. Songfacts highlights that Mick Jagger, who met Marley during the Catch a Fire sessions, considers it his favorite reggae song, underscoring its crossover appeal.

The song’s enduring legacy is evident in its multiple recordings by the Wailers’ core members. After the original trio split in 1974, Marley included it on his 1975 Live! album with a distinctive “WO-YO!” refrain, while Tosh reworked it for his 1977 solo album Equal Rights, and Bunny Wailer delivered a funky version on his 1977 album Protest. Wikipedia notes that the song’s third verse, which declares “Almighty God is a living man,” sparked varied interpretations among the trio, reflecting their Rastafarian beliefs. In 1999, the 1973 recording earned a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2020, Rolling Stone ranked it number one on their list of Marley’s greatest songs, cementing its status as a human rights anthem.

Bob Marley & The Wailers began their journey in 1963 in Kingston, Jamaica, when Bob Marley, born Robert Nesta Marley in 1945, teamed up with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, both from the same Trenchtown neighborhood. Initially called the Teenagers, they later became the Wailing Rudeboys, then the Wailing Wailers, before settling on the Wailers. Their early mentor, Joe Higgs, a local singer, taught them harmony and rhythm in his Trenchtown yard, shaping their sound. Google Arts & Culture details how the trio’s first hit, “Simmer Down,” recorded in 1964 at Studio One with producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd and the Skatalites, topped Jamaican charts and shifted the island’s music from foreign imitations to authentic local stories. Working with producers like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Leslie Kong in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Wailers honed their ska and rocksteady roots before embracing reggae.

In 1972, a pivotal moment came when the Wailers, seeking royalties from earlier releases, met Island Records’ Chris Blackwell in London. Impressed by their charisma despite their poverty, Blackwell advanced them £4,000 to record Catch a Fire without a formal contract, recognizing Marley’s potential to bridge reggae with rock audiences. Wikipedia explains that this album, followed by Burnin', marked their international breakthrough, though tensions over Blackwell’s focus on Marley led to Tosh and Wailer’s departure in 1974. Marley continued with a new lineup, including the I-Threes, and became a global icon until his death from cancer in 1981. His legacy endures, with the official Bob Marley Facebook page boasting over 71 million followers, ranking among the top celebrity pages.

Fans can connect with Marley’s legacy through various platforms. The official Bob Marley website offers tour dates, merchandise, and news, while the Bob Marley Facebook page and Instagram account share updates and tributes. On X, the official account posts about milestones, like the 50th anniversary of Burnin' in 2023. For fan communities, the Bob Marley Fan Club on Facebook provides a space for enthusiasts to discuss his music and legacy, while sites like Bob Marley Fan offer additional resources for devotees. These platforms keep the Zoo Freaks and fans worldwide connected to Marley’s timeless message of resistance and unity.