Robert Nesta Marley "BOB MARLEY"-THE MUSICAL GIANT

BOB MARLEY-THE MUSICAL GIANT

Bob Marley Historical Resource featured photo

Robert Nesta Marley popularly known as ‘Bob Marley’ was born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Miles Jamaica; to parents Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Malcolm. As a child Marley was known to be shy and had a strong desire and interest in mysticism such as palm reading.

By his teens Marley was living in West Kingston in an area known as ‘Trench Town’, this place played a vital role in shaping his ideologies and philosophies which would have become a key feature and theme during his musical life span.

In 1963 he began his professional career after forming the ‘Teenagers’ with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailers. The group went through many transitions which eventually led to the group being known as ‘The Wailers’. The group released their debut studio album called “The Wailing Wailers” in 1965, which contained the single “One Love” which saw the group rising to national and international popularity. The band went on to produce multiple albums and global hit songs until they disbanded 1974.

Marley continued his solo musical journey, even having his album “Rastaman Vibration” reach the US Top 50 Billboard Soul Charts. During his tenure Marley released over 40 albums. Marley was also said to be a key figure in the Rastafarian movement and its spread as it was intertwined and incorporated in his music.

On February 10, 1966, Marley got married to Rita in a secret ceremony. Marley had 3 children with Rita, but he also had extra marital children with multiple other women the most famous being ‘Miss World 1976 Cindy Breakspeare. Marley is said to have produced 11 children by 7 different mothers.

He produced the best-selling Reggae song of all time and also ranks as one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has received the Order of Merit, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 11 on the list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all Time. He has also been awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

In July 1977, Marley was diagnosed with a type of malignant melanoma under his toenail. Biopsies confirmed Acral Lentiginous Melanoma. He rejected his doctor’s advice to have his toe removed due to his religious belief as he was Rastafarian. On May 11,1981 at age 36, Marley died as the cancer had spread to his brain and lungs. He was given a state funeral in Jamaica on May 21, 1981. A key part of Seaga’s eulogy on the day said “His voice was an omnipresent cry in our electronic world. His sharp features, majestic looks, and prancing style are a vivid etching on the landscape of our minds. Bob Marley was never seen. He was an experience which left an indelible imprint with each encounter. Such a man cannot be erased from the mind. He is part of the collective consciousness of the nation.”

The Montego Bay Cultural Centre continues to spread the legacy of Bob Marley as we allow his legacy to live on with the items we have available at your Gift Shop. We have Bob Marley themed memorabilia such as maps, plaques, key chains and others which allow us to bring Marley with us wherever he goes as his music and life has left an indelible mark on our culture and hearts.