The bulk of that session was finally made available in February 1991, when Island released the commemorative album, "Talkin' Blues".

In 1973 The Wailers also released their second Island album, "Burnin'", an LP that included new versions of some of the bands older songs: "Duppy Conqueror", for instance, "Small Axe" and "Put It On" - together with such tracks as "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot The Sheriff". The latter, of course, was a massive worldwide hit for Eric Clapton the following year, even reaching number one in the U.S. singles' chart.

In 1974 Marley spent much of his time in the studio working on the sessions that eventually provided "Natty Dread", an album that included such fiercely committed songs as "Talkin' Blues", "No Woman No Cry", "So Jah Seh", "Revolution", "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" and "Rebel Music (3 o'clock Roadblock)". By the start of the next year, however, Bunny and Peter had quit the group; they were later to embark on solo careers (as Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh) while the band was re-named Bob Marley & The Wailers.

"Natty Dread" was released in February 1975 and, by the summer, the band was on the road again. Bunny and Peter's missing harmonies were replaced by the I-Threes, the female trio comprising Bob's wife Rita together with Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. Among the concerts were two shows at the Lyceum Ballroom in London which, even now, are remembered as highlights of the decade.

The shows were recorded and the subsequent live album, together with the single "No Woman No Cry", both made the charts. Bob Marley & The Wailers were taking reggae into the mainstream. By November, when The Wailers returned to Jamaica to play a benefit concert with Stevie Wonder, they were abviously the country's greatest superstars.

"Rastaman Vibration", the follow-up album in 1976, cracked the American charts. It was, for many, the clearest exposition yet of Marley's music and beliefs, including such tracks as "Crazy Baldhead", "Johnny Was", "Who The Cap Fit" and, perhaps most significant of all, "War", the lyrics of which were taken from a speech by Emperor Haile Selassie.