Bob Marley was born on February 6th, 1945 in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Bob Marley would later become known as a world-renowned reggae musician and poet best remembered for songs like “No Woman, No Cry” and “Redemption Song. ” Dying at the age of 36 from melanoma skin cancer Bob Marley left behind a wife and ten children.
Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida after being diagnosed with melanoma which had spread to his brain, lungs, liver and stomach. Bob Marley’s music career started in 1963 when Bob Marley formed a music group named The Teenagers. Bob Marley was an extremely influential person for the global peace movement throughout his lifetime donating countless amounts of money to the cause.
Bob also played a solid role in encouraging African Americans to vote during times of difficulty through songs like “Burnin’ And Lootin'” Though Bob may be best remembered for his musical contributions he was quite an intelligent individual attending college up until 9th grade were he dropped out to pursue a music career. Bob Marley was a very spiritual individual, Bob stated that he was not religious but followed “an inner belief” Bob’s belief in a higher power showed through his life and his music.
Bob also had a great love for sports from what is shown from the numerous trophies accumulated around Bob’s house from surfing to cricket Bob took an active role in several different types of physical activities throughout his lifetime. Bob Marley died at the age of 36 leaving behind over 20 albums and 300 songs after being diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer on his toe which spread to other parts of his body until finally impacting his lungs heart liver and stomach.
Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer and songwriter who became a worldwide icon. His music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, some of which continue to affect Jamaica today. Bob Marley has been called a prophet by fans and critics alike for “invoking religious fervor” with his music.
Bob Marley contributed significantly to the world through his lyrics, which were very conscious and influential; Bob Marley demonstrated immense love for humanity through his songs, which centered around themes like peace, love, unity, freedom, Rastafari , justice , faith , hope , truth , integrity , righteousness ( P – eace) (L- right death), life after (eternal life), Africa , Babylon (oppression), emancipation ( Bob Mar or freeing the people, C -Ca is liberation), and Zion .
Bob Marley even went so far as to write a song for his son before he died. Bob Marley also used his music and lyrics to bring awareness and voice concerns about nuclear energy and world peace , which is just one of many reasons why Bob is considered an international icon.
Bob Marley was an influential musician and activist who brought reggae to international audiences. His music reveals his political, spiritual and social views. Bob’s father, Norval Sinclair Marley (a white man), was a British soldier; Bob’s mother, Cedella Booker (of African descent) raised Bob until he moved away from home when he was 12 years old. Bob had three half-brothers who appeared sporadically throughout Bob’s life: one of them is former Manchester United football coach Ron Atkinson.
Bob became interested in music after becoming acquainted with fellow reggae artist Joe Higgs. Bob dropped out of high school at the age of 15 and moved to Trench Town, a ghetto of Kingston. Bob would play guitar on the street for money and food. Bob’s mother was supportive of Bob’s music career but his father wanted him to do more with his life than music . Bob saw music as a way out of poverty; Bob even recalled that he used his earnings from busking as “the key to (his) survival”.
Bob struggled at first in the music business due to an absence of demand for rocksteady and reggae artists. Bob began recording music under producers Clement Dodd and Duke Reid. While Bob worked with Dodd and Reid, they suggested that Ma should shorten his forename ‘Nesta’ to ‘Marley’ because former was frequently being mispronounced . Bob stuck with Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1964 for a recording session that resulted in “Simmer Down”. Bob’s music was becoming more popular but he also appeared on several television shows such as “Opportunity Knocks” and “Dr. Who”.
In 1966 Bob met Rita Anderson at the age of 21. They married when Bob was 23 years old and had their first child, Sharon, when Bob was 24 years old; they would have three more children: Cedella (Cody), Stephanie (and Robert). Bob’s lyrics often reflected his relationship with Rita; “No Woman No Cry” is one example:
-“I remember when we used to sit
– In the government yard in Trenchtown
– Oba, ob-serving the hypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet”
Bob moved to Delaware in 1970 and lived in an apartment. Bob recalled that he was “really lonely looking back” during his time in Delaware . Bob’s international popularity grew when he performed at the Jamaican World Music Festival in 1972; Bob won the best male performer award. Bob returned to Jamaica shortly after because immigration officials refused him reentry into The United States for overstaying his visa (he only intended to be away for four weeks). While Bob was in Jamaica, Bob met up with a musician who had a spiritual awakening while meditating: Peter Tosh . Peter inspired Bob to embrace Rastafarianism.
Bob adopted the philosophy that Emperor Haile Selassie, then leader of Ethiopia (Rastafarians regard him as God), was his father; Bob even tattooed “Rastafari” on his hand . Bob released “Catch A Fire” in 1973; Bob would form the Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer in 1974. The band recorded albums together until Bob announced he would begin a solo career in 1976.
The success of Bob’s music lead to the Jamaican government awarding Bob land in Kingston for housing low-income citizens after learning that Bob had wanted to build a school on it . Bob met up with another musician over Memorial Day over 1977: Elvis Presley. Bob and The Wailers played at Elvis’ invitation-only performance in Honolulu, Hawaii . Bob was concerned that his bandmates would not receive invitations because Bob was the headliner. Bob released Exodus in 1977; Bob’s lyrics touch on many topics including love, poverty, religion, drugs , race relations , and revolution . Bob won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording for Exodus ; Bob even recorded another Grammy Award-winning album, Survival , in 1979.
Bob married Rita Marley (of Ethiopian descent) in February 1966 when Bob was 21 years old. They had three children : Sharon (Shirley), Cedella (Cedella), Stephanie (and Robert). Rita helped found the “Children of God” organization that Bob supported . Bob began recording music under producers Clement Dodd and Duke Reid. Bob used income from busking as “the key to (his) survival”.
Bob was awarded land in Kingston for housing low-income citizens after learning that Bob had wanted to build a school on it. Bob met up with another musician over Memorial Day over 1977: Elvis Presley. Bob and The Wailers played at Elvis’ invitation-only performance in Honolulu, Hawaii. Bob won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording for Exodus; Bob even recorded another Grammy Award-winning album, Survival , in 1979.