In the late 1950s and early 60s, rock ‘n’ roll was taking its cues from Black blues musicians from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago. But by the 1970s and 80s, the genre was evolving, spreading its roots across the globe. This was the era when rock ‘n’ roll migrated south, past the Florida Keys, past Cuba and the Cayman Islands, all the way to Jamaica, where reggae music was finding its footing. It's fascinating to think about how this musical journey, this fusion of styles, has shaped the landscape of modern music. Personally, I think it's incredible how rock ‘n’ roll, in its purest form, has always been an amalgamation of styles that Black communities first established and perfected. And reggae is no exception. While reggae-influenced music might seem commonplace today, there were several notable tracks in the 1970s and 80s that helped establish this genre’s ubiquity outside of Jamaica. These are some of the best.
The Led Zeppelin Effect
One of the first mainstream rock bands to bring reggae and dub to the global zeitgeist was Led Zeppelin with their 1973 track, "D’yer Mak’er". What makes this particularly fascinating is that the song uses a Jamaican joke as its title. In an English accent, "did you make her" and "Jamaica" sound incredibly similar. This clever wordplay not only adds a layer of humor to the song but also serves as a subtle nod to the Jamaican influence. The track's release date means that it was one of the first mainstream rock bands to introduce reggae to a global audience, marking a significant moment in the genre's history.
Blondie's Global Hit
Blondie's 1980 track, "The Tide Is High", is another notable example of how reggae influenced mainstream rock. What many people don't realize is that Blondie wasn't just embodying the reggae sound; they were covering an actual reggae track first recorded by rocksteady singer John Holt and the Paragons. This version came out in 1967, but it wouldn't take off until Blondie put out their version 13 years later. Blondie's rendition of "The Tide Is High" peaked at No. 1 around the world, including in the United States and the United Kingdom. This song has been covered many times since then, including by British girl group Atomic Kitten. But I digress, moving on...
The Police's Caribbean Groove
In between Led Zeppelin and Blondie's fusion of mainstream rock and classic reggae sounds were The Police’s 1978 and 1979 albums, Outlandos d’Amour and Regatta de Blanc. Many consider the latter release to be their most reggae-coded album. But Outlandos has plenty of backbeat grooves, too, including the iconic track "Roxanne". The song didn’t make it into the Top 10 in the U.K. or U.S., but it remains one of the band’s most ubiquitous tracks today. Although Sting originally thought of the song as a bossa nova number, the syncopated rhythm and driving bass line give "Roxanne" an undeniable Caribbean flavor. Other honorable mentions worth including on this rock and reggae list are "Message In A Bottle" and "Walking On The Moon", both of which appear on Regatta de Blanc.
Eric Clapton's Reggae Cover
Closing out this list of mainstream rock that introduced reggae to the masses is another cover: Eric Clapton’s rendition of Bob Marley And The Wailers’ "I Shot The Sheriff". Clapton released his version in 1974, one year after Marley. The original version was popular in Jamaica and certified silver in the U.K., but the most well-known version is far and away Clapton’s. The British rock ‘n’ roller’s distinct blend of soft rock and reggae resonated with the world in the early 1970s, with his version of "I Shot The Sheriff" topping the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian pop charts and peaking in the Top 10 in the U.K., Belgium, Norway, South Africa, and West Germany.
These songs are just a few examples of how reggae has influenced mainstream rock. What makes this particularly fascinating is how these tracks not only brought reggae to a global audience but also helped to establish the genre’s ubiquity outside of Jamaica. From Led Zeppelin's clever wordplay to The Police's Caribbean grooves, these songs have left an indelible mark on the history of rock ‘n’ roll. If you take a step back and think about it, you'll realize that these songs are not just musical fusions but also cultural bridges, connecting different communities and genres in a way that's both interesting and significant.
