Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Tuesday | February 3, 2009
Home : Entertainment
'Legend' rolls in the millions

Bob Marley. - File

THIS WEEK, while his fans celebrate the 64th anniversary of his birth, Bob Marley's Legend album has surpassed sales of 20 million copies worldwide.

Billboard Magazine reports that Legend, which is in its 978th week on its Catalog Chart, has sold over 10 million units in the United States.

The album is currently number four on the chart, behind greatest hits efforts from Swedish dance group Abba, hard rock band Guns 'N' Roses and pop/rock band Journey. Only British rock group Pink Floyd's 1973 classic Dark Side of The Moon has been in the Catalog Chart longer, with over 1500 weeks.

Legend was released by Island Records in May 1984, three years after Marley's death. The original compilation has 14 tracks, including No Woman, No Cry, Three Little Birds, Waiting in Vain, Redemption Song, Jamming, Exodus and Get Up, Stand Up.

A deluxe edition of Legend was released in 2002 by the Universal Music Group, which distributes the Island Records catalogue. It has two bonus tracks and alternative versions of the original songs.

In 2003, Legend was named number 46 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums.

Marley, who was reggae's first superstar, died in May 1981 from cancer, at age 36.

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