Bob Marley and The Wailers released “Stir It Up” as a single in 1967. Bob Marley wrote the song, which had a rocksteady groove about the building passion between lovers. “Stir It Up” was re-recorded for their fifth album, Catch A Fire. Robbie Shakespeare played the bass, and Muscle Shoals guitarist Wayne Perkins used the wah-wah on the lead. “Stir It Up” was Marley’s first composition to be embraced outside of Jamaica. American singer Johnny Nash recorded “Stir It Up” for his 1972 album, I Can See Clearly Now, and had Bob Marley and The Wailers open for him during his tour of the UK that year. Catch A Fire is one of the cultural moments that brought reggae music to the world. The album was recorded on an eight-track thanks to their contract with Island Records, and it was the first time a reggae band had access to the technology. In 2026, on February 6th, which would have been Marley’s 81st birthday, Adidas will honor him with a sneaker inspired by his lifelong love of soccer.
