Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Shot The Sheriff (Live At The Rainbow Theatre, London, 1977)

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Album: Exodus
Charted: 67 - UK/1973
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The Bob Marley & The Wailers performance at the Rainbow Theatre in London, June 1977, is one of the most iconic live shows in reggae history. Captured during their Exodus tour, it showcases Marley at the peak of his powers, blending spiritual depth, political fire, and musical brilliance. The Wailers, featuring the Barrett brothers’ airtight rhythm section and Junior Marvin’s soulful guitar, were in top form, delivering a raw, vibrant energy.
“I Shot the Sheriff” is a tale of a man accused of killing a sheriff, but underneath, it’s layered with metaphor, political commentary, and questions about justice. The singer admits to shooting the sheriff but denies killing the deputy, raising ambiguity about truth and guilt. Marley later said the “sheriff” metaphorically represented a doctor who opposed his Rastafarian lifestyle, particularly his use of herbal medicine: “Sheriff John Brown always hated me.”
The song was popular in Jamaica upon release, but gained massive global recognition when Eric Clapton covered it in 1974, topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Marley’s original remains more raw, tense, and politically charged than Clapton’s smoother version.

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