Why is Bob Marley more popular now than ever? A conversation with Roger Steffens

Why is Bob Marley more popular now than ever? A conversation with Roger Steffens

Author: Aaron Carnes March 19, 2025 Duration: 55:04
In Defense of Ska
MusicCultureSocietySociety & Culture

For most of his life, the legendary Bob Marley was actually something of a cult artist. After his death in 1981, though, his popularity only grew and grew. Now, he stands as a bonafide icon. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Bob Marley expert Roger Steffens joins the podcast to chat about where Marley's legacy stands in 2025. Listen now.

From his hugely popular posthumous album Legend to last year's biopic One Love, every year it seems like the reggae icon gains even more fans. Steffens -- who has penned several books on Marley, including the 2017 definitive oral history So Much Things to Say -- has some thoughts as to why.

The crew discusses One Love and analyzes several other key moments from the past 40 years that have elevated Marley’s place in culture. Steffens also leads the gang down several fascinating side journeys, like Marley’s relationship to U.S. soul artist Johnny Nash.

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If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. 

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. 

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. 

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

CORRECTIONS: Roger listened to the episode and wanted to make a few corrections: "110,000 people came to Milan in '80, not one hundred ten million - but gee, imagine what a night that would have been - the earth would have tilted. Bob met Johnny Nash in 1968 not 1978, of course. At 82 I just have too damn many dates jangling my brain, trying to keep them straight." -Roger

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There's a persistent idea that ska music is just a punchline, a relic of checkerboard Vans and goofy horn sections. In Defense of Ska dismantles that notion with genuine passion and deep knowledge. Hosted by Aaron Carnes, who literally wrote the book on the subject, and musician Adam Davis, this podcast goes far beyond nostalgia. Each conversation, whether with scene veterans or curious outsiders, digs into the genre's rich history, its surprising cultural footprint, and the vibrant community that keeps it alive. You'll hear personal stories that trace ska's influence in unexpected places and passionate arguments for its artistic merit. It’s not about blindly championing every upstroke; it’s about thoughtful, often funny, and always dedicated discussions that give the music the serious consideration it rarely gets. Tune in for a refreshing reevaluation that might just change your mind about what ska has been and what it continues to be. This is a defense built on facts, stories, and undeniable love for the sound.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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