Robert Nesta Marley

I chose Bob Marley for my hero because of his special way of life, his ambitions and faith in religion. He wanted to change the quotidian way of life and bring something new - new joy in life.

Robert Nesta Marley was born in 1945, February 6 in Rhoden Hall, Jamaica. His father was white, but mother was a black Jamaican, so Bob suffered racial prejudice as a youth. He lived only with his mother, but father supported them financially. He was a singer, songwriter and guitarist. His songs were all about good things that can happen in our lives; mostly about politics, religion and life on the streets. Bob was a really religious person. In one of his songs, "Redemption Song," he sang the famous lyrics,
"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,
None but ourselves can free our minds..."

In 1963, Marley and other five members created a group called The Wailers. They were successful until 1974 when three of the main members went on to pursue with solo career. He got sick in 1977 when he was found to have malignant melanoma on his right toe. Marley refused amputation, because the operation would affect his dancing, as well the Rastafari belief that the body must be whole. He became the leader of Rastafari movement, taking music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and carried it into the international music scene. His adoption of characteristics, like dreadlocks and famous use of cannabis as a sacred sacrament, were part of his personality.

Many of Marley's songs also contained Biblical references, sometimes using wordplay to fuse activism and religion:

"Revelation, reveals the truth . . ."

"It takes a revolution to make a solution . . ."

The cancer spread along whole his body, this was the cause of his death. He died in Miami, Florida in 1981 on May 11.

People still listen to his music, and many people sees in him an idol which realized his dreams. He was an amazing person, with extremely interesting way of life. I think that his songs can touch anybody´s heart, you just need to listen to him.

Bob Marley singing