Reggae's emergence and international spread from Jamaica (1960s–1980s)

1. Jamaica gains independence amid cultural change

   Aug 6, 1962Labels: Jamaica

   • NLJ

2. Studio One begins recording sessions in Kingston

   Jan 1, 1963Labels: Studio One, Coxsone Dodd

   • Studio One

3. The Wailers’ early recordings collected on LP

   Jan 1, 1965Labels: The Wailers

   • Wailing Wailers
   • BobMarley com

4. “Do the Reggay” helps name the genre

   Jan 1, 1968Labels: Toots and

   • Do the Reggay
   • Toots Maytals

5. Lee “Scratch” Perry launches Upsetter Records

   Jan 1, 1968Labels: Lee Scratch, Upsetter Records

   • Upsetter
   • Lee Perry

6. Trojan Records forms as a major UK reggae gateway

   Jan 1, 1968Labels: Trojan Records, United Kingdom

   • Trojan

7. “Israelites” becomes a breakthrough international hit

   Dec 1, 1968Labels: Desmond Dekker

   • Israelites
   • Dekker

8. “The Harder They Come” spreads reggae through film

   Jan 1, 1972Labels: The Harder, Jimmy Cliff

   • Harder Come

9. Island Records releases “Catch a Fire” internationally

   Apr 13, 1973Labels: Bob Marley, Island Records

   • BobMarley com
   • Catch a Fire

10. Attack on Bob Marley highlights political tensions

    Dec 3, 1976Labels: Bob Marley

    • Marley attack
    • TIME

11. Marley performs at the Smile Jamaica concert

    Dec 5, 1976Labels: Smile Jamaica, Bob Marley

    • Smile Jamaica
    • BobMarley com

12. “Exodus” release marks global peak of roots reggae

    Jun 3, 1977Labels: Exodus, Bob Marley

    • Exodus
    • BobMarley com

13. One Love Peace Concert dramatizes reggae’s public role

    Apr 22, 1978Labels: One Love, Bob Marley

    • HISTORY
    • One Love

14. Reggae Sunsplash launches as an international festival model

    Jun 23, 1978Labels: Reggae Sunsplash, Montego Bay

    • Sunsplash

15. The Specials’ debut anchors the UK 2 Tone wave

    Oct 19, 1979Labels: The Specials, 2 Tone

    • The Specials

16. UB40’s “Signing Off” signals reggae’s UK mainstream presence

    Aug 29, 1980Labels: UB40

    • Signing Off