Robert Nesta Marley (1945-1981)
Name: Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley
Born: February 6, 1945
Died: May 11, 1981
Industry: Musician, Singer-songwriter, Guitarist
Bob Marley was born in St. Ann on February 6, 1945. His father, Norval St. Clair Marley, was a white Naval Officer. Marley’s mother’s name was Cedella Malcolm Marley.
Bob Marley’s move to Kingston was a milestone in his life. During Bob’s eighteen months in Kingston he was introduced to music. This was an introduction that would have profound effect on the rest of his life, the Jamaican community, and the world.
His music Career
The music of Bob Marley and The Wailers was filled with images of Third World strife alive with symbols and sayings derived from Jamaican and African traditions. Later their music began to concern itself with social issues on the island, whether it was denouncing police harassment as in “Rebel Music” or in “Them Belly Full” about poverty and hunger.
The first song attributed to Bob Marley was “Judge Not” produced by Leslie Kong, when Bob was a teenager. It was soon followed by “Terror” and “One Cup of Coffee”. In 1962 the Wailers were formed with Neville O’Riley Livingston, popularly known as “Bunny Wailer”, Winston Hubbert McIntosh, also known “Peter Tosh”, Bob Marley, Rita Anderson-Marley and Beverly Kelso. In 1963 the Wailers big break came with their first single “Simmer Down” which stayed on the charts at number one for two months. It was quickly followed by the release of “Rude Boy” and “Jail House”.
In late 1974, a new group was formed with Bob performing as lead singer with the I-Threes – Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths as back up singers. From 1976 onwards, Bob Marley and the Wailers drew large crowds to their concerts. They have toured extensively throughout countries such as the United States of America and Canada, the continent of Europe, Trinidad, Japan, Hawaii, Australia and most memorable of all Zimbabwe, Africa.
Bob Marley has left a legacy to the world, in the creation of Reggae Music. Jamaica has become known worldwide because of the popularity of the man and his music.
Related Documents
- Bob Loves: Reggae and revolution: the role of Bob Marley. Rising Sun.
- He was no ordinary musician or ordinary man. By Prime Minister Edward Seaga. Merry-Go-Round the Family Magazine, June 17, 1981. p. 8.
- A nuh Bob dat. January 29, 1989.
- Marley estate ordered sold to Island Logic. January 4, 1989.
- Remembering Bob Marley: More than just a Hero. Daily Gleaner, May 4, 1984.
- Bob Marley: a poster Draft for Prime Minister – Bob Marley Museum. May 11.
- Bob Marley – Reggae Prophet. Weekend Star, May 22, 1981.
- Marley Statue Unveiled.
- In Bob Marley’s Jamaica. Daily Gleaner, May 21, 1989.
- Bob Marley is first Inductee to Reggae Hall of Fame. Daily Gleaner, June 27, 1986.
- Marley statue to be unveiled on Arthur Wint Drive on May 11. Daily Gleaner, April 30, 1983.
- NY’s ode to the King. Sunday Sun, June 21, 1981. p. 32
- Tribute to Bob Marley. Daily Gleaner, July 26, 1983. p. 6.
- Marley’s statue is a hit. The Star, April 2, 1985. pp. 8-9
- OM for Bob…R-A-A-A-Y. Jamaica Daily News, February 27, 1981.
- Marley statue at casting stage. Daily News, January 28, 1983. p. 1
- Bob Marley. By Ken Thomas. May 14, 1981.
- Bob Marley statue to be unveiled March 31. Daily Gleaner, March 15, 1985.
- The Honourable Nesta Marley, OM. Curfew, May 14, 1989.
- Bob Marley. Daily Gleaner. October 3, 1983. p. 18
- Island Logic to purchase Marley’s assets. Daily Gleaner, June 22, 1988. p. 1. Marley money “went astray”: Rita blames US finance men. Caribbean Times, Issue No: 307 February 13. p. 14.
- Huge concert remembers Marley today at Nine Miles. By Basil Walters. Sunday Sun, February 6, 1983.
- Motown remembers Bob Marley. By Norman (Otis) Richmond. May 6, 1983. p. 14.
- Ottawa remembers Bob Marley. From John Keating. Daily Gleaner, May 30, 1983, p. 4.
- Unveiling of Bob Marley’s Statue at Celebrity Park. The Star, April 2.
- Free concert to mark Marley’s birthday. By Howard McGowan. February 6, 1983.
- Brixton honours Marley. Caribbean Times, February 20, 1987. p. 1. Issue No: 308.
- Bob Marley Museum Opens… Daily Gleaner, May 12, 1986. p. 1.
- Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. The Star, February 6, 1985, p. 6.
- All change for Lambeth amenities. Caribbean Times, December 4, 1987. p. 2.
- Bob Marley: Dreadlocks inna Babylon
- New Marley album out. Daily Gleaner, November 10, 1986. p. 6.
- The legend lives on. Black and White Jazz Review, June, 1984.
- Reggae and Revolution. The New York Times Review, August 14, 1983. p. 11.
- Marley: last days man, myth & legacy. By G. Fitz. Jamaica Record, May 14, 1989.
- Bob Marley omitted from Hall of Fame. By Howard McGowan. The Gleaner, November 3, 1989. p. 1.
- New book explains the man behind the Marley legend. By John Hanchette. Contrast, May 3, 1983. p. 4.
- Admiring Bob Marley’s Statue
- The Marley’s Legacy. By Roger Steffens. The Gazette, May 10, 1986.
- Legend: the best Bob Marley and the Wailers. By T. Riley. September 9, 1984.
- Marley’s new LP – Confrontation. By Bob West. Jamaica Daily News, April 4, 1983.
- Bob Marley statue now at casting stage. February 1983.
- Marley statue coming. Contrast, September 21, 1984.
- Bob lives! By Tuff Gong International. May 11, 1982.
- Big racket uncovered in Marley estate. February 5, 1987. pp. 1&3.
- Bob Marley named ‘Entertainer of the Decade’ in NY magazine. By Glen Bowen. The Star, November 5, 1987, p. 4.
- Bob Marley statue to be unveiled March 31. Daily Gleaner.
- Baffling the Insiders.
- PM cites benefits of Bob Marley’s Life. JamPress, April 1, 1985.
- Bob Marley: A Bibliography. National Library of Jamaica.
- So Much things to say’ – The journey of Bob Marley. Voice, May 18, 1982.
- Bob Marley: The Ghetto Boy who became Reggae King. Merry – Go – Round, June 17, 1981.