Bob Marley

Bob Marley

When it comes to my musical hero, it is easy to say that it is Bob Marley, formally known as Robert Nesta Marley. Bob is a reggae singer/ songwriter, who brought love, faith and hope to many people. It wasn't Bob's actions that touched so many people; it was the words in his songs. "When you need to refer to a certain situation or crisis, there will always be a Bob Marley song that will relate to it. Bob was a musical prophet," said Judy Mowatt of the I-Threes. His music shows the struggles people go through and he gave a positive message to them and lifted their spirits. He sang about people's rights and freedom. I can't think of a more positive man. I have found out that Bob Marley was all about peace, love, life and music.

Some people refer to Bob Marley as a prophet which is: a person obligated with the responsibility of being a follower of a holy person or thing with the purpose of making social change. Something that shows that he made social changes was a concert that was during a political war in Jamaica between Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party. During the song "Jammin'", Bob joined the hands of political rivals. While he had their hands above his head he said "I just want to shake hands and show the people that we're gonna unite . . . we're gonna unite . . . we've got to unite . . . The moon is high over my head, and I give my love instead"(2). Bob wanted people to live together in peace.

Bob Marley believed in the Rastafarianism, which was like a revolutionary religion. They believed in black empowerment and independence. He felt very strongly about his beliefs, that's why he was able to spread the word of God to people. The Archbishop once said: "once while I was conducting the Mass, I looked at Bob and tears were streaming down his face..." (2). Being a Rasta was very much his life. Most Rastas like Bob often wore dreadlocks, it was very important for them to have this identity. Marley says he has been a Rasta since he was born, but it is a growth throughout life. Many Rastas such as Bob are physical immortalists who believe in everliving life. Bob Marley's refusal to write a will, even though he knew he was dying of cancer, was because writing a will would mean that he was "giving in to death" and forgoing his chance at everliving life. The Rastas often meditated with spirits to gain mental peace. The spirits brought Bob closer to people, God, and mental peace. When it comes to his lyrics he often wrote about his mental peace. For example Redemption Song, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery - none but ourselves can free our minds..." Because he was at peace with himself, he was so good at accepting other people and guiding them through life struggles. Another example of peace is his song Three Little Birds. The lyrics basically talk about him waking up at sunrise, hearing the birds chirping, and feeling like everything is going to be okay. This shows that he is happy because of his positive outlook at life.

The reason Bob Marley is a hero to so many people is because of the way he used his music. His music came from the heart. As you can see from the picture below, he feels it. He believes Reggae is a spiritual music that is about feeling; it can bring tears to people's eyes because they feel it in them (1). Some musicians out there just make music to make it, enjoy it and get fame. Bob didn't care about fame; he even refused many interviews because he wasn't interested in the high life of rock stars or media (1). Radio is what you listen to that year, he is about the music that has meaning and lasts forever. "My music will go on forever. Maybe it's a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever" (3). Bob's music was a way of helping people and getting his message out. Mostly talking about peace, freedom, individual rights, etc. But when Bob wasn't making the music he still told the same thing, acted the same way, the music was again a way to get the message out to the people. "People want to listen to a message, word from Jah. This could be passed through me or anybody. I am not a leader. Messenger. The words of the songs, not the person, is what attracts people" (3).

Bob Marley

Bob Marley died on May 11th, 1981, from cancer that started in his feet and that spread to his brain, lungs, liver and stomach (2). He could have even gotten his foot amputated but believed in the Rastafarian belief that the body should be whole (2). Bob Marley felt strongly about his beliefs and showed them through his lyrics. The titles of some of his songs show what he stands for. I Shot the Sheriff, is about justice, Get Up Stand Up, is about the rights of the people, Lively Up Yourself, is about living your life, Could You Be Loved, is about love, and Natural Mystic, is about peace. He is my hero because of his way of words and the way he gets to people. He is not afraid of who he is and what he stands for. He took what he had and made what he could of it, even though he started out with a tough life. His positive influence brings a positive, relaxing vibe on me when I listen to his music.