The I-Threes were the most influential female singing group in the history of Jamaican music. A trio featuring
Marcia Griffiths,
Rita Marley, and
Judy Mowatt,
the I-Threes provided the rich harmonies for
Bob Marley's performances and recordings from 1974 until his death ten years later.
Marcia Griffith was already a star when
the I-Threes came together. Her duet recordings with
Bob Andy, which included "Young, Gifted and Black," had brought her international attention. When she invited
Mowatt, who had previously sung with
the Gaylettes, and
Marley to harmonize with her on a recording with
Andy, she set the stage for the trio's formation. The recording session proved so inspiring that she invited the two women to be guests on a song that she and
Andy were scheduled to perform that evening at the House of Chen in New Kingston. Shortly after the departure of
Peter Tosh and
Bunny Livingston from
the Wailers,
Bob Marley asked the three women to sing on his recording,
Jah Live. They continued to work together for the next ten years. In early 1975,
the I-Threes joined
Marley for a tour as opening act for
the Jackson Five. Although they continued to perform together following
Marley's death, the three women soon elected to pursue solo careers.
–
Craig Harris, Rovi