Bob Marley's first two major break through hit singles

The group’s debut international hit is a rare case of a song that’s much more famous in its live version than the studio one.

‘No Woman No Cry’ was first recorded for the Wailers’ 1974 album ‘Natty Dread,’ but the single was the recording made at the band’s famous concert at the Lyceum Theatre in London in July 1975, which then became the ‘Live!’ album, released in December.

‘No Woman No Cry’ was an undiluted piece of Jamaican culture, with its vivid lyrics about a poor upbringing in Trench Town.

A letter from Island boss Chris Blackwell to the future reggae superstar, written on August 20, 1975, provides a fascinating glimpse into those developing times. “Dear Bob,” he writes, “Have now done a mix of the recording we made at the Lyceum of ‘No Woman No Cry’ and ‘Kinky Reggae.’ They have turned out great, everybody likes them and we are releasing a single here with ‘No Woman No Cry’ as the A-side and ‘Kinky Reggae’ as the B-side.

“Will let you have stampers and some samples,” Blackwell continues, “in case you want to release it in Jamaica. Should be in Jamaica for a few days around September 9th, so will see you then.”

The single would climb to No. 22 in the UK chart, also becoming a top 30 hit in Holland and New Zealand, as Marley’s fame grew around the world as a brilliant live performer and as the new global ambassador of reggae music.

It was a slow but steady process for Marley and the Wailers to be integrated into the international mainstream. The success of ‘No Woman’ led to a belated, modest UK chart appearance for the ‘Natty Dread’ album in October 1975, but the group had to wait more than 18 months after that for their first top 20 UK hit single, with ‘Exodus.’