Overview

"Hailed by the New York Times as a ""crucial voice"" in the narration of Marley's life, reggae historian Roger Steffens spent years traveling with the Wailers and taking iconic Marley photographs. Now, drawing on four decades of intimate interviews with band members, family, lovers, and confidants—many speaking publicly for the first time—Steffens crafts a riveting oral history depicted through vivid scenes: the future star auditioning for Coxson Dodd, the violent confrontation between the Wailers and producer Lee Perry, the attempted assassination (and conspiracy theories that followed), triumphant live performances around the world, and the artist's tragic death from cancer at age thirty-six. So Much Things to Say tells Marley's story like never before—what emerges is a legendary figure ""who feels a bit more human"" (The New Yorker)."

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9780393355925

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Reviews

There have been dozens of Bob Marley books, but this 2017 oral history, decades in the making, is definitive. -- Rolling Stone [So Much Things to Say] narrates the life of Marley from cradle to grave... Steffens has been on the Marley case for decades, and he's a crucial voice in this epic chorus... Illuminating. -- Toure - The New York Times Book Review Steffens identifies many more pieces of the man than have ever before been put together in one book. -- The Guardian So Much Things to Say, an 'oral' account of Marley's life and times, amounts to an absorbing alternative biography. -- The Spectator ... absorbing oral history ... So Much Things to Say is a fitting tribute to the tumultuous life and complex character of the country's favourite son. -- The Observer ... absorbing oral history... So Much Things to Say is a major work that helps us better understand Marley's tragic yet inspirational tale. -- Mojo If Bob Marley is Jesus in these times, Roger Steffens is Peter. -- Carlos Santana

So Much Things to Say is a fascinating page-turner which leaves conclusions to the reader. -- Gleaner This sprawling but gripping biography is a fitting tribute to Jamaica's favourite son. -- The Guardian

By far the most important and definitive book written about Bob Marley. -- Bruno Blum, musician, music historian, writer, artist and lecturer based in Paris All true gospels are shaped by the accounts of eyewitnesses who walked with the one we speak of. Roger Steffens has collected these accounts and has given us a book of truths complicated by the bending of memory, motive and mystery. The effect is a fresh and renewed affirmation of Marley's genius, humanity and mystique. This book is a triumph of the storytelling virtuosity of Jamaican people, and a testament to the care and glorious obsessions of Roger Steffens. -- Kwame Dawes, author of City of Bones: A Testament and Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius An invaluable insight into the life and times of one of the great pop culture figures of the twentieth century.... Endlessly fascinating. -- Robert Hilburn, author of Johnny Cash: The Life So Much Things to Say is Steffens's must-read/can't-stop-reading account of Bob Marley's historic career and his indelible achievements. -- Stephen Davis, author of Bob Marley and Reggae Bloodlines If Bob Marley is Jesus in these times, Roger Steffens is Peter. -- Carlos Santana [So Much Things to Say] narrates the life of Marley from cradle to grave.... Steffens has been on the Marley case for decades, and he's a crucial voice in this epic chorus.... Illuminating. -- Toure - New York Times Book Review Compulsively readable, exquisitely researched. -- Philadelphia Inquirer A complete portrait.... Calls on many voices to recall the one iconic voice. -- Los Angeles Times Steffens identifies many more pieces of [Marley] than have ever before been put together in one book. -- Colin Grant - Guardian Majestic. -- Elle

Steffens identifies many more pieces of the man than have ever before been put together in one book. -- The Guardian So Much Things to Say, an 'oral' account of Marley's life and times, amounts to an absorbing alternative biography. -- The Spectator ... absorbing oral history ... So Much Things to Say is a fitting tribute to the tumultuous life and complex character of the country's favourite son. -- The Observer ... absorbing oral history... So Much Things to Say is a major work that helps us better understand Marley's tragic yet inspirational tale. -- Mojo If Bob Marley is Jesus in these times, Roger Steffens is Peter. -- Carlos Santana

Author Information

Roger Steffens is the world’s leading reggae historian, and former co-host of the award-winning radio program Reggae Beat. His programs on Marley’s life have been presented at the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress, among other venues. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

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