Bob Marley—I Shot the Sheriff (1974)*
Bob Marley never had a No. 1 single as an artist. Amazingly, the only Wailers song to ever reach the singles chart in the US was “Roots, Rock, Reggae,” which peaked at No. 51 in 1976. But his “I Shot the Sheriff” did hit No. 1 in September, 1974—when it was covered by UK rock legend Eric Clapton. Speaking of covers of legendary Jamaican singers, Blondie also hit No. 1 on January 31, 1981 with “The Tide is High,” originally recorded by the Paragons, with John Holt on lead. (He also wrote the song). —Jesse Serwer