Comparisons with reggae were plentiful after the advent of punk, and it’s easy to understand why. After all, they told real stories from people’s hearts, and the two respective scenes had feathers in a similar way, but it’s safe to say you wouldn’t have seen Bob Marley putting on a leather jacket and listening to “Pretty Vacant “.
Both movements were a response to the struggle against authority, but musically similarities were scarce and it is difficult to draw any parallels at this level beyond their shared social consciousness.
In addition, their worldviews were also different because of the contrasting climates that made them. What mattered to Johnny Rotten are not necessarily the same causes of importance to Marley, but that didn’t stop the Sex Pistols singer from connecting with the fears.
The Clash infused reggae elements into their sound, and they weren’t the only punk band inspired by the Jamaican scene. When Rotten appeared Capital Radio in 1978, he played a selection of genre themes. One of the songs he aired was ‘Born For A Purpose’ by Dr Alimantado, and the leader also explained why he felt they were like-minded.
“Right after my brain was shot (in reference to being attacked by ‘God Save The Queen’ by the royalists), I went home and played with it,” he revealed. “There’s a verse in it: ‘If you have no reason to live, don’t determine my life.’ The same thing happened to him. He was run over because he was afraid.
Marley, on the other hand, did not feel the same intense affection for punk as the British punk bands for the movement he led. When her thoughts on the genre were investigated, Marley once said Hot press in 1978, “Yes, we listen to other music, man. All music, we listen. We listen to Barry White. We listen to Issac Hayes. Also Earth, Wind and Fire. We listen to all black artists, man.”
He then went on to name more, adding, “Yes, we hear most of the people we receive from the island. Stones and people. And Jefferson Starship, The Eagles and all of them.”
Then Marley talked about the spiritual connection between punk and reggae, which sparked Marley’s response: “I really couldn’t stop the snow, you know? It’s a mystical association. No comments. I never really listen to a lot of punk music, you know?”.
Although she did not listen to any punk bands, Marley could see that they were fighting against the existing powers, which was enough to earn her respect. “It’s great because punk feels that English society doesn’t do them any good. They want their roots,” he said.
Marley’s opinion is a fair representation of the interrelationship between punk and reggae, which was not the same, with the latter inspiring the former rather than a two-way street. However, the singer could appreciate anyone willing to fight for the good fight and use music to make the world a fairer place.
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