the Wailers

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Bob Marley performing on stage with a guitar, singing into a microphone and raising his fist in the air.

How Bob Marley brought reggae into the mainstream

the Wailers

Jamaican music group

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July 23, 2026

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Bob Marley performing on stage with a guitar, singing into a microphone and raising his fist in the air. — Bob Marley Reggae icon Bob Marley performing in 1978.

The Wailers were a Jamaican vocal group that played a pivotal role in the development of ska, rock steady, and reggae music. Formed in Trench Town, Kingston, by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, the group's name reflected their origins, as Marley stated, "We started out crying".1

The Wailers' music, particularly songs like "Simmer Down," became anthems for the urban underclass in Jamaica, fostering a sense of identity and pride. Their embrace of the Rastafari faith also deeply influenced their music and message. After signing with Island Records, their album Catch a Fire brought their unique reggae sound to a global audience, launching Bob Marley to international superstardom. While Tosh and Wailer later pursued solo careers, the Wailers' legacy is cemented in their groundbreaking contributions to Jamaican music and their influence on global culture.234

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bass
Styles and genres
…bassist in Bob Marley & the Wailers, known for his influential reggae rhythm and style.
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…bassist in Bob Marley & the Wailers, known for his influential reggae rhythm and style.
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reggae
From rock steady to reggae’s first superstars
…(That’s My Number)” (1968), and the Wailers—Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and reggae’s biggest star, Bob Marley—who recorded hits at Dodd’s Studio One and later worked with producer Lee (“Scratch”) Perry.
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…(That’s My Number)” (1968), and the Wailers—Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and reggae’s biggest star, Bob Marley—who recorded hits at Dodd’s Studio One and later worked with producer Lee (“Scratch”) Perry.
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Bob Marley
Formation of the Wailers, role of Rastafari, and international fame
…trio, which named itself the Wailers (because, as Marley stated, “We started out crying”), received vocal coaching by noted singer Joe Higgs. Later they were joined by vocalist Junior Braithwaite and backup singers Beverly Kelso and Cherry Green.
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…trio, which named itself the Wailers (because, as Marley stated, “We started out crying”), received vocal coaching by noted singer Joe Higgs. Later they were joined by vocalist Junior Braithwaite and backup singers Beverly Kelso and Cherry Green.
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Peter Tosh
…a founding member of the Wailers, a popular reggae band of the 1960s and early 1970s.
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…a founding member of the Wailers, a popular reggae band of the 1960s and early 1970s.
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