Bob Marley

Bob Marley (allposters.com)

Bob Marley: A Hero's Journey

From growing up in the crime infested streets of Kingston, Jamaica, to being one of the best if not the best reggae singers ever, Bob Marley throughout his life and his singing career, has showed us what it takes to be and be remembered as a hero. Bob Marley was born to his mother, Cedella Marley, and white father Norval Sinclair Marley on February 6, 1945, in St.Ann Jamaica. He grew up  in the crime infested neighborhoods of Jamaica under the care of his Mom, Aunt, and Grandfather. He started piano lessons at the age of 10, which led him into Reggae. Marley believed in the Rastafarian religion, which includes most of the beliefs of the Christian religion. One must possess love and courage  in order to be a hero or be remembered as a hero. Bob Marley throughout his career and his life, possesses love and courage and is remembered as one of the greatest singers' and heroes' in history.

Throughout his life, Bob Marley was known for his talent of singing, but he wasn't just known for his singing skills. Bob Marley showed love not just for his family, but for the country he loved. "Marley did not just sing about social justice; he practiced what he preached. He took on a series of community projects, at one time supporting more than 6,000 people with food, jobs, and housing.He invested in schools and infrastructure in Jamaica.In 1977, Marley bought a home in Miami, and other members of his clan later moved there."("Bob Marley." Encyclopedia of World Biography) Bob Marley took the time to do community projects as a way to show his love for the people of Jamaica, he wanted to give back to his country. He used his wealth in a positive way. Rather than spending it on just himself and his belongings, he gave back and spent it in a way that would satisfy not just him but other people that needed it as much if not more than him. He also gave the people in his clan a home in Miami, to show his love for what they they were doing for him over the years helping him rise to stardom. "In his brief life, Bob Marley rose from poverty and obscurity to international stardom, becoming the first Third World artist to be acclaimed to that degree. It was largely through him that the world became familiar with reggae music and Rastafarianism, the religion embraced by much of Jamaica's black underclass." ("Bob Marley." Contemporary Musicians)Bob Marley didn't just have love for his country or the people, he had love for his religion and for his Reggae music, which is another reason why he is such a great hero. After all he Bob Marley through, Bob Marley's love for his country, people, music, and religion, will forever explain and determine why he is such a great hero.

Bob Marley after being shot at his concert. (http://www.bobmarley.com/general-news/4-concerts-t (Bob Marley website.))

Bob Marley's courage shows why he will always be remembered  as such a great hero ."On December 3, 1976, an assassination attempt on Marley took place two weeks before a well-publicized "Smile Jamaica" concert in Kingston's National Heroes Park. Although he received gunshot wounds to his breastbone and biceps, and Rita was grazed in the head by a bullet, the concert went on as planned." ("Bob Marley." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Gale, 2013.) Considering that Bob Marley was almost killed by a assassination attempt in his own town, shows the amount of love and courage he possesses. Marley shows courage by continuing the show for his fans after almost being killed in an assassination attempt. "He refused, because such treatment was not in keeping with Rasta beliefs. Despite worsening health, Marley continued to perform until September 1980 when he collapsed while jogging in New York's Central Park during the U.S. leg of a world tour."("Bob Marley." Contemporary Musicians, vol. 3, Gale, 1990. Biography in Context) Bob Marley shows courage because he believed in his Rasta religion as a way for god to heal him, or help him fight through it. Because of his courage, Bob Marley is known and will forever be known as a hero.

Bob Marley singing. (http://www.bobmarley.com/ (Official Bob Marley website.))

Bob Marley is considered a hero for many different reasons, he wasn't someone who just sang about social justice;he practiced social justice in his life. This is significant because Marley was a role model to other people and people looked up to him. In addition, Bob Marley displayed courage by continuing to perform in a concert after an assassination attempt on him. Bob Marley showed the people that he wasn't going to live his life in fear after almost being killed, and it wasn't going to stop him from performing. "In his brief life, Bob Marley rose from poverty and obscurity to international stardom, becoming the first Third World artist to be acclaimed to that degree." ("Bob Marley." Contemporary Musicians, vol. 3, Gale, 1990. Biography in Context)Bob Marley grew up in the crime streets of Jamaica and rose to fame not for just himself, but for the people of his hometown and his country.Bob Marley  inspired me by showing me that you don't have to live life in fear, you will get nothing out of it. If you live life passionate for other people and put yourself last, you will not be wealthy, but have a wealthy soul. Bob Marley made his mark on society and will always be remembered as a hero.

Works Cited

"Bob Marley." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Gale, 2013. Biography in

Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K2419200791/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=cd06f610. Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.

"Bob Marley." Encyclopedia of World Biography, vol. 24, Gale, 2005. Biography in

Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631008266/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=cf3bf444. Accessed 18 Jan. 2017.

"Bob Marley." Contemporary Musicians, vol. 3, Gale, 1990. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1608000206/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=2786b3a7. Accessed 19 Jan. 2017.

"Bob Marley." Encyclopedia of World Biography, vol. 24, Gale, 2005. Student