What would Bob Marley think of his albums being released in every new media? These days, there are many options for the rastaman on the go. USB, SD, mp3, and ringtones, Bob Marley and the Wailers are as mobile as a rasta can get! That’s right, ringtones! Verizon Wireless and Universal Music Group announced a deal today that makes an extensive catalog of Bob Marley tunes available as ringtones for Verizon cell phones. A press release about the new ringtones puts Bob Marley on the highest musical pedestal and hails Verizon as a leader in mobile music for inking the deal with Universal.

Bob Marley acoustic in NYC with “Redemption Song”:

From the release:

No other artist has generated the galvanic global effect of Robert Nesta Marley. Singer, songwriter and shaman, he has received innumerable honors: the Jamaican Order of Merit, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, membership of the Rock’n'Roll Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys. The New York Times calls Marley the most influential musical artist of the second half of the twentieth century. Even with over two decades after his passing, Marley continues to be the standard by which all popular music artists are measured.

Bob Marley and the Wailers Ringtones

The long list of Wailers tunes that are now available as ringtones:

“Africa Unite”
“Is This Love” (Live)
“Buffalo Soldier”
“Jah Live”
“Burnin’ And Lootin’” (Live)
“Jammin’”
“Coming In From The Cold”
“Kaya”
“Concrete Jungle” (Live)
“Kinky Reggae” (Live)
“Could You Be Loved”
“Lively Up Yourself” (Live)
“Easy Skanking”
“Natural Mystic”
“Exodus”
“One Love / People Get Ready”
“I Shot The Sheriff”
“Punky Reggae Party” (Live)
“Redemption Song”
“Sun Is Shining”
“Running Away”
“Three Little Birds”
“Satisfy My Soul”
“Trenchtown Rock” (Live)
“So Much Trouble In The World”
“Turn Your Lights Down Low”
“Stir It Up” (Live)
“Waiting In Vain”

Cha! That’s a lot of quality roots rockin reggae right there!
Ed Ruth, the director of digital music for Verizon went on to state:

“These classic recordings by Bob Marley & The Wailers represent some of the best songs ever recorded — Bob Marley is an iconic singer, songwriter and performer and we’re proud to bring these Ringtones exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in North America. This is yet another proof point to Verizon’s commitment to provide quality music — first — to our customers and reaffirms our leadership position in the mobile music business.”

Verizon Wireless customers can purchase Ringtones by visiting the Get Tunes & Tones shopping aisle on their Get It Now(R)-capable phones.

This almost makes me want a Verizon plan. But, not quite. I do hope that Universal will go on to offer the Bob Marley collection to other cellular providers in the future…

Links

Verizon Wireless music website
Island Records releases Bob Marley’s Exodus on USB stick, SD, CD, and vinyl

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