Today, May 11, 2010, is exactly 29 years when the great musician Robert Nester Marley, popularly known as Bob, passed away. The man is regarded as one of the greatest musical legends of our time. But who is this little man whose music created a big impact on the music scene internationally?
Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in the parish of St Anns in Nine Miles, Jamaica to a British Marine officer, Norval Sinclair Marley and a native Jamaican called Cedella Booker. Like most of the Jamaican great musicians, Bob Marley entered into music while very young, coming out with his first song "Judge Not" at the age of 16. The song didn't do well.
He continued pursuing his musical career. In 1965, he formed "The Wailers" with Bunny Livingston (Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (Peter Tosh) and released "Catch A Fire" an album that propelled him to international stardom. After a short period "The Wailers" split and Peter, Bunny and Bob went on separate ways. Surprisingly all the three became successful in music.
However, Bob Marley's passion for music could be seen by the albums he released. "Rastaman Vibration, Natty Dread
Kaya
Confrontation
Survival
Uprising
In 1977, while playing football with his friends Bob injured his toe. He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of deadly cancer and amputation was recommended. But on his Rastafarian religious beliefs, Bob didn't agree to that. The Cancer started taking its toll on him and the result was disastrous. Bob died at the age of 36 on May 11, 1981. By then he and The Wailers have changed the reggae world.
"Lyrically he was an expert and spiritually you should have seen him in concert," Said Macka B, in his song called Bob. A song he played as a tribute to Bob Marley. His passion for music could be felt in his performance as he rocks the stage and the audience to the best of his soul. His philosophy was well explicitly expressed in his songs. Many believe that Bob Marley was a prophet that came to the world unnoticed until he passed away.
Bob Marley is not only good at playing revolutionary songs but also love songs. His numerous love songs influenced his life. Bob had an affair with more than one woman.
Today all his children are following their father's steps. All successful professional musicians. 29 years later after his departure from the musical planet, Bob Marley is more famous than ever. He sold over 300 million albums.
Bob Marley still casts a spell with his music globally. Everyone knows about Bob Marley. After almost three decades of his death, his music is still relevant to millions of people across the world.
Celebrations and activities are held each year globally on May 11, as a tribute to Bob. Truly, the work and achievements of Bob Marley in the field of music will be in history forever. I leave you with this part of lyrics taken from his "Redemption Song"
"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy, 'cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets? While we sat aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it, we got to fulfill the book
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
Is all that ever have, redemption song, songs of freedom"