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Bob Marley & The Wailers Release 50-Year-Old Live Album From 1976 London Residency
When the Hammersmith Odeon turned into a sonic cathedral in mid‑June 1976, a four‑night run of Bob Marley & The Wailers captured the world’s attention in a way that still feels fresh. The band’s first official release of that historic set, titled Roots, Rock, Reggae: Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, is slated for August 14 and will be distributed by Tuff Gong, Island and UMe.
The recordings come from the June 15‑18, 1976 residency that inaugurated the second leg of the Rastaman Vibration tour. Though the concerts were filmed and recorded at the time, the tapes never reached the public until now. The album is part of a 50‑year anniversary celebration that also includes recent reissues of Rastaman Vibration and Kaya.
Fans will have a choice of formats. A standard 180‑gram 2‑LP vinyl set and a 2‑CD edition share a striking cover that unfolds into a full‑body performance photo of Marley, custom labels, printed sleeves and a new essay by longtime associate Don Letts. Letts recalls the residency as “a theatre full of people suddenly sharing the same heartbeat.” A limited‑edition 2‑LP set will be pressed on transparent Molten Lava Red and Peridot Green vinyl, and will include a mini‑poster reproducing the original Island Records advertisement that promoted Rastaman Vibration and the European tour.
All 18 tracks on the release are newly mixed from the original multi‑track recordings. The set features a rare performance of “Bend Down Low” that appeared only on the final night, an extended version of “Crazy Baldhead,” a deep‑bass rendition of “Lively Up Yourself,” and a 30‑minute encore that includes “War” and a 12‑minute version of “Get Up, Stand Up” in which Marley calls for unity.
The Hammersmith Odeon residency built on the momentum the band had generated earlier that year. In 1974 the group released a cover of Eric Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and a live version of “No Woman, No Cry,” both of which reached the UK Top 20 in early 1976. The Rastaman Vibration album, released in April 1976, became the band’s first U.S. Top 10 album.
Bob Marley’s legacy continues to be celebrated. In April 2026 a limited‑edition 50‑anniversary vinyl reissue of Rastaman Vibration was released on green swirl vinyl, and a 420 reissue of the 1978 album Kaya followed.
The new live album will be available for digital download and streaming on all major platforms, with an Atmos mix where supported. Vinyl and CD editions can be purchased through the band’s official website and select record stores.
This release is part of a broader effort to preserve and share Marley’s music. The original recordings were captured during a period when the band was expanding its international reach, and the new album offers a rare look at their live sound in a major London venue.
The announcement was made by the record labels; no additional statements have been issued by Marley’s estate or the surviving members of the Wailers.
The album’s launch is expected to spark renewed interest in Marley’s catalog, especially among vinyl collectors and fans of reggae history. It also coincides with other anniversary projects that highlight the band’s influence on global music culture.
The final product will be a comprehensive snapshot of a pivotal moment in reggae history, offering listeners an authentic experience of the band’s live performance from 1976.
The release will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and select international markets starting on August 14. Additional distribution details will be announced by the record labels in the coming weeks.
The live album is a significant addition to Bob Marley & The Wailers’ discography, providing a previously unheard performance that captures the energy and spirit of the 1976 London shows.
The recordings come from the June 15‑18, 1976 residency that inaugurated the second leg of the Rastaman Vibration tour. Though the concerts were filmed and recorded at the time, the tapes never reached the public until now. The album is part of a 50‑year anniversary celebration that also includes recent reissues of Rastaman Vibration and Kaya.
Fans will have a choice of formats. A standard 180‑gram 2‑LP vinyl set and a 2‑CD edition share a striking cover that unfolds into a full‑body performance photo of Marley, custom labels, printed sleeves and a new essay by longtime associate Don Letts. Letts recalls the residency as “a theatre full of people suddenly sharing the same heartbeat.” A limited‑edition 2‑LP set will be pressed on transparent Molten Lava Red and Peridot Green vinyl, and will include a mini‑poster reproducing the original Island Records advertisement that promoted Rastaman Vibration and the European tour.
All 18 tracks on the release are newly mixed from the original multi‑track recordings. The set features a rare performance of “Bend Down Low” that appeared only on the final night, an extended version of “Crazy Baldhead,” a deep‑bass rendition of “Lively Up Yourself,” and a 30‑minute encore that includes “War” and a 12‑minute version of “Get Up, Stand Up” in which Marley calls for unity.
The Hammersmith Odeon residency built on the momentum the band had generated earlier that year. In 1974 the group released a cover of Eric Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and a live version of “No Woman, No Cry,” both of which reached the UK Top 20 in early 1976. The Rastaman Vibration album, released in April 1976, became the band’s first U.S. Top 10 album.
Bob Marley’s legacy continues to be celebrated. In April 2026 a limited‑edition 50‑anniversary vinyl reissue of Rastaman Vibration was released on green swirl vinyl, and a 420 reissue of the 1978 album Kaya followed.
The new live album will be available for digital download and streaming on all major platforms, with an Atmos mix where supported. Vinyl and CD editions can be purchased through the band’s official website and select record stores.
This release is part of a broader effort to preserve and share Marley’s music. The original recordings were captured during a period when the band was expanding its international reach, and the new album offers a rare look at their live sound in a major London venue.
The announcement was made by the record labels; no additional statements have been issued by Marley’s estate or the surviving members of the Wailers.
The album’s launch is expected to spark renewed interest in Marley’s catalog, especially among vinyl collectors and fans of reggae history. It also coincides with other anniversary projects that highlight the band’s influence on global music culture.
The final product will be a comprehensive snapshot of a pivotal moment in reggae history, offering listeners an authentic experience of the band’s live performance from 1976.
The release will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and select international markets starting on August 14. Additional distribution details will be announced by the record labels in the coming weeks.
The live album is a significant addition to Bob Marley & The Wailers’ discography, providing a previously unheard performance that captures the energy and spirit of the 1976 London shows.
