Bob Marley

Marley playing his favorite sport - football. (http://medias.ados.fr/people/3/8/381/Bob-Marley/photos/1220-bob-marley-footballeur.jpg)

Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley was born on February 6th, 1945 in the small village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. He was born to Norval Marley – a white English Jamaican – and Cedella Booker – a black Jamaican. Growing up, Marley suffered racial prejudices having mixed racial origins. This however left him with no hatred in his heart or sadness within his soul. He was later quoted:

“I don't have prejudice against myself. My father was a white and my mother was black. Them call me half-caste or whatever. I don't dip on nobody's side. I don't dip on the black man's side nor the white man's side. I dip on God's side, the one who create me and cause me to come from black and white.”

He held no importance in race. He held importance in people.

(http://poefrika.blogspot.com/2008/02/happy-birthday-bob.html)

As he grew older, he discovered music. Most notably fronting the band Bob Marley and The Wailers, Marley reached the peak of his success 3 years after his death. The compilation of his greatest hits titled “Legend”, which was released in 1984, went over ten times platinum selling over twelve million copies worldwide. To this day it is the best selling reggae album, ever.

After the coming and going of a handful of band members and quite a few name changes, Marley is still one of the most renowned reggae musicians, and is credited for putting Jamaican music on a worldwide stage.

(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj7/JOEMYSTA/bob-marley.jpg)

Bob Marley was not only a singer/song writer however. He was also a social activist. He was an active member in the Rastafarian movement whose culture was key in reggae music. He helped spread this genre from the socially deprived areas in Jamaica to a worldwide audience, sharing his thoughts and love with anyone who would listen.

Marley headlined many events for social change, such as “Smile Jamaica” in 1976 which was a free concert organized by the Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in an attempt to ease tension between two warring political groups, and “One Love Peace” in 1978 which was again to help calm two warring political parties.

Marley was proud of who he was and where he came from. He wanted to better his home, and the world he was a part of.

(http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Bob-Marley-in04.jpg)

Throughout his life as an artist, Bob Marley was recognized on the highest levels not only as an amazing musician but also a humanitarian. He received a great number of awards including Band of the Year by Rolling Stone in ‘76 and the Peace Medal of the Third World from the United Nations in ’78. A month before his death, Marley was awarded Jamaica’s third highest honor – the Jamaican Order of Merit.

His death did not end the rain of praise for Marley. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001. Album of the Century, Song of the Millennium, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award are also apart of the long list of recognition for the life and works of Bob Marley.

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb52/The_Playlist/movies/Bob_Marley.jpg)

On the morning of May 11th, 1981, Bob Marley passed away at the age of 36. The spread of melanoma to his brain and lungs caused his death. In his final words to his son Ziggy, he said, “Money can’t buy life.”

Peace, love, and happiness. Freedom and higher social consciousness. A worry-free life and a sunny disposition isn’t all Bob Marley left behind.

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you’re riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality. Wake up and live!” -Bob Marley