A guy at a record store in Austin made me rethink Bob Marley

I was flipping through some old reggae albums last weekend and this guy working there starts talking about how Bob Marley gets all the credit while artists like Peter Tosh and Lee Perry did way more interesting stuff. He said 'Marley is the McDonald's of reggae - consistent but not the best.' It hit different because I've been singing Buffalo Soldier for years without ever digging deeper. Has anyone else had a moment where a 'classic' artist suddenly felt overhyped after talking to someone who knew the full picture?

3 comments

3 Comments

rileyprice2d ago

That McDonald's comparison actually hurt my feelings a little because I once embarrassed myself at a party trying to impress someone by dropping Bob Marley facts and all I could remember was the name of his soccer team. Turns out knowing "he played football sometimes" doesn't count as deep knowledge. Meanwhile my friend who actually listened to Peter Tosh was over there having a real conversation while I was just nodding along like a bobblehead.

nelson.wren2d ago

Just started keeping my mouth shut and asking them questions instead. Works every time.

blair_chen812d ago

@rileyprice hey at least you knew he played soccer, I once tried to impress someone with my "deep" reggae knowledge and just said "Bob Marley good