Reggae Icon, Pioneer and Legend
Robert Nesta Marley
April 7, 2022
Robert Nesta Marley O.M. is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician and cultural icon. A true ambassador and pioneer in reggae, his musical career was capped by the fusing elements of reggae, ska, rock n roll and rock-steady; put together with his distinctive vocal and songwriting ability. Marley’s contributions to the music industry propelled the visibility of Jamaican culture worldwide, thus making him a global figure for life. Throughout the tenure of his career, he became a Rastafarian icon who incorporated his philosophical and spiritual beliefs in his music. He is a global symbol of Jamaican music and was controversial in his outspoken support for the legalization of marijuana and an advocate for Pan-Africanism. Marley rightfully believed marijuana is a healing herb and an “aid to meditation” as it was mentioned in the bible.
He is a global symbol of Jamaican music
He was born in Nine Miles on February 6, 1945 in the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica. Barely in his teens, Marley and his mother migrated to Kingston in the late fifties and eventually settled in trench Town. Bob was working as a welder and quickly became friends with Neville “Bunny” Livingston (an upcoming vocalist). Singer Joe Higgs invited Bob and Bunny to a music session and the two met Peter McIntosh. In February 1962, Marley recorded four songs, “Judge Not”, “One Cup of Coffee”, “Do You Still Love Me?” and “Terror”, at Federal Studios for local music producer Leslie Kong. Three of the songs were released on Beverley’s with “One Cup of Coffee” being released under the name, Bobby Martell. In 1963, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith formed “The Teenagers”. The group changed to the “Wailing Rudeboys”, then to the “Wailing Wailers”, at which point they were discovered by record producer Clement Coxsone Dodd, and finally to the Wailers. The band released its debut studio album “The Wailing Wailers” in 1965, with the single “One Love/ People Get Ready”; the song became a worldwide hit and established them as a rising figure in reggae. The Wailers released over 10 studio albums and began engaging in a rhythmic-based style in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1966 Haile Selassie visited Jamaica; it was at this juncture that Bob began his transformation to a Rastafarian. Marley got married to Rita Anderson and relocated near his mother’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware in the United States. After a few odd jobs, Marley was looking for ways to do music fulltime. During this period he migrated to the UK, and the group put together a body of work with the release of the album “The Best of the Wailers” in 1971.
The Wailers continued to record and attained international success after the release of the albums “Catch a Fire” and “Burnin” (both in 1973), and forged a reputation as touring artists. The “Burnin” album included the song “I Shot the Sheriff”. The single left Eric Clapton in awe that he recorded his own cover version. It later became #1 on the Billboard Hot 100n chart.
Sadly the Wailers disbanded in 1974, with each of the three main members pursuing a solo career. Despite the break-up, Marley continued recording as “Bob Marley & The Wailers”. His 1974 debut studio album “Natty Dread” received high accolades, as did his follow-up “Rastaman Vibration” in 1976. Shortly after the album’s release, Marley survived an assassination attempt in Jamaica. The occasion prompted him to immediately relocate to London. During his time in England, he recorded the album “Exodus” (1977) which established his worldwide reputation with commercial success.
Bob Marley and The wailers
On 3 December 1976, two days before “Smile Jamaica”, a free concert organized by the Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in an attempt to ease tension between two warring political groups. Marley, his wife, and manager Don Taylor were wounded in an assault by unknown gunmen inside Marley’s home. Taylor and Marley’s wife sustained serious injuries but later made full recoveries. Bob Marley received minor wounds in the chest and arm. Marley’s last concert occurred at the Stanley Theater (now called The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 23 September 1980.
Smile Jamaica Concert
In 1984 the greatest hits album”Legend” was released and became the best selling reggae album of all time, even to this day. Marley ranks as one of the best selling artist of all time, with estimated sales of more than 120 million records worldwide. He was posthumously honored by Jamaica soon after his death with a designated “Order of Merit”(OM) by his nation. In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on its list of the 100 greatest artist of all time.
Besides music, Marley was a football fanatic and a philosopher in his own right. His love for the sport was evident all over neighborhoods in Nine Miles and the Hermitage community; he would play with friends at every available opportunity and was a huge fan of Brazilian star Pele. Bob is still regarded as a hero in the Hermitage and Trench Town community in August town.
As a Pan-Africanist, Bob believed in the unity of African people throughout the world. Inspired by Jamaica’s first national hero who had the same vision, he penned “Redemption Song” as influence from a speech given by Marcus Garvey in1937. Marley often expressed that independence of African countries from European domination was a victory for all those in the African Diaspora. Such sentiments were uttered in songs like “Africa Unite, Zimbabwe and Exodus”, all calling for the liberation of the whole continent of Africa. Several film adaptations have evolved as well. A feature-length documentary about his life, “Rebel Music”, won various awards at the Grammys. A statue was inaugurated, next to the national stadium on Arthur Wint Drive in Kingston to commemorate him. Marley has evolved into a global symbol and is still being merchandised through a variety of media outlets.
Statue of Bob at National Stadium
HIGHLIGHTS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- February 6, 1945- Robert Nesta Marley was born at Nine Miles, St. Ann’s, Jamaica. The son of Norval Sinclair Marley, a Liverpool-born captain in the British Army, and Cedalla Booker.
- December 1962
Marley left school at 14, and trained as a welder, started focusing on music. He records two singles, “Judge Not (Unless you Judge Yourself”’ and “One Cup of Coffee” at a local studio by Leslie Kong, owner of the Beverley’s label.
- 1963
Forms the Wailing Rudeboys (later becoming The Wailin’ Wailers) with Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston; they are joined by Junior Braithwaite and female vocalists Beverly Kelso and Cherry Green. The group undergoes extensive tuition with vocalists Joe Higgs and drummer Alvin ‘Secco’ Patterson, and records over 70 tracks for the Studio One label with Coxsone Dodd.
- January 1964
The Wailers first single, ‘Simmer Down’, reaches Number 1 on Jamaica’s JBC Radio Chart. The group released a series of singles that regularly top the Jamaican charts.
- February 1966
Marries Rita (Alpharita) Anderson and soon after left and head to Wilmington, Delaware, USA, where he joins his mother.
- November 1966
Marley returns to Jamaica and set up a record store in Kingston with Rita. Rita has converted to Rastafarianism, changing her name to Ganette Mander (meaning ‘Paradise’), following the visit to Jamaica by Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia.
- 1967
Reunites with Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston, releasing singles on the Beverly’s label. They released the hit, “Bend Down Low”, at Studio One and created their own label, Wail’M’Soul’M (the venture is a commercial failure). Marley hooks up with American artist Johnny Nash (who in 1972 storms the UK charts with Marley’s)
- 1968
Composition (‘Stir It Up’) and Danny Sims, Nash’s manager, signs Marley to Nash’s JAD label.
- November 1968
Marley has begun exploring Rastafarianism. Meets Mortimo Planno of the Divine Theocratic Temple of Rastafari in Kingston. Beginning of Rastafarian influence on Marley’s music. Bob, Bunny, Peter, and Rita record on Johnny Nash’s JAD label produced by Arthur Jenkins.
- 1969
Along with the rest of the Wailers, Marley fully embraces Rastafarianism. They linked with top local producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry on their newly formed Tuff Gong label. Perry brings in the Barrett brothers, Aston and Carlton, as the Wailers’ rhythm section.
- 1970
- Debut of Wailers album “Soul Rebel” was released.
- 1972
After a difficult, though creative period, The Wailers, finding themselves alone in London and effectively left to their own devices by Johnny Nash and Danny Sims, sign with Island Records’ boss Chris Blackwell.
- April 1973
Their debut release on Island Records is “Catch A Fire”-heavily promoted by the label. A UK tour, including key dates at the Speakeasy in London, attracts rock critics and other Island stars-the band’s Uk profile is further raised by appearances on BBC Radio One and BBC TV’s Old Grey Whistle Test.
- July 1973
The Wailers appear at Max’s Kansas City Club in New York (the centre of American new wave activity a year later), supporting Bruce Springsteen.
- November 1973
Group second Island album “Burnin” was released.
- August 1974
Eric Clapton reaches Number 1 in the US singles charts with his cover version of Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff”, taken from Clapton’s 461 Ocean Boulevard’.
- October 1974
“Natty Dread” released. A significant difference of this album is that the group is now called Bob Marley and The Wailers. Tosh and Livingston have gone solo, possibly upset that Marley is now being heavily promoted as the frontman. Marley adds The I-Threes (singers Rita, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths). Additional musicians on the album include Al Anderson (guitar) and Bernard ‘Touter’ Harvey (keyboards).
- July 1975
The new Wailers play two classic dates at the Lyceum London, immortalized later that year on the album “Live” from which a version of ‘No Woman No Cry’ is also released. The band has been enhanced the addition of Junior Marvin (guitar), Tyrone Downie (keyboards, replacing Harvey) and Alvin Patterson on percussion, Marley’s original rhythm tutor from the early sixties.
- May 1976
The Wailers was named by Rolling Stone Magazine as “Band of the Year”.
- June 1976
Bob Marley and the Wailers headline a festival in Wales-20,000 people are expected, but because of heavy rain only 2,000 turn up. Most shelter inside terraces so the group ends up playing to only around 100 people in the field.
- December 1976
Gunmen broke into Marley’s home in Kingston during the Jamaican general election campaign. Marley, Rita, their manager Don Taylor, friends and five children were home at the time. All the adults were shot and wounded, but all survived. Marley recuperated in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains after being released from hospital. Four days later he performs at the “Smile Jamaica” festival, although he is unable to play guitar due to his wounds. Rita sings, with her head in bandages. The couple then took an 18 months break away from Jamaica.
- Spring 1977
The Wailers are based in London, on and off, for three months while working on their next album, during which time Marley and Aston Barrett are arrested and fined for possession of herb.
- June 1977
The “Exodus” album is released-it reaches Number 8 on the UK album charts, later hitting Number 20 in the United States.
- September 1977
In Miami, a cancerous growth is diagnosed on one of Marley’s toes-the press is informed that it is a foot injury received while playing soccer. Others believed that he was poisoned by an injection.
- February 1978
The album “Kaya” is recorded in England: the single ‘Is This Love’ reaches the Top Ten Chart in the UK.
- April 1978
Bob Marley and the Wailers play the One Love Peace concert at Kingston’s National Arena-an attempt to link Jamaica’s feuding political parties; Marley symbolically joins hands of political rivals Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.
- June 15, 1978
Bestowed with the “United Nation Peace Medal” of the Third World in New York for his courageous work for Peace & Justice. Given by the African delegation to the United Nations on behalf of 500 million Africans.
- December 1978
Marley makes first, short trip to Rastafarianism’s spiritual homeland Ethiopia. The second Wailers live album “Babylon By Bus” was released.
- February 1979
The Wailers became the first reggae act to play at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theatre. in front of a backdrop featuring an Ethiopian flag, a portrait of Haille Selassie, and a collage of Marcus Garvey and other black freedom fighters.
- April 1980
Marley performs at Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebrations, before undertaking a major European tour, which includes a headlining appearance at the ‘Summer Garden Party’ at the Crystal Palace Bowl.
- July 1980
The single “Could You Be Loved”, from the album “Uprising”, peaked at Number 5 on the UK chart.
- September 1980
During dates at Madison Square Garden, New York, supporting the Commodores, Marley collapses while jogging. Cancer is detected.
- November 1980
Marley is baptized at Kingston’s Ethiopian Orthodox Church, marking his conversion to Christian Rastafarianism: he takes the name Berhane Selassie. The following month he flies to the Bavarian clinic of Dr. Josef Issels.
- 1981
Jamaica Order of Merit (third highest honor) for his outstanding contributions to Jamaican Culture.
- 11 May 1981
Marley dies at Miami’s Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, days after arriving. He is buried on May 21st via state funeral at the National Arena, Kingston. Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga delivered the final funeral eulogy to Marley
- July 1981
A re-release of ‘No Woman, No Cry’ charted in the UK.
- August 1981
A tribute was held for Marley in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It became part of the Fourth International Reggae Sunsplash Festival, with appearance by the Melody Makers-four of Marley’s children.
- May 1984
The “Legend” album was released and spends over 12 weeks at # 1 on the UK album charts, and also becomes a permanent fixture on the US album charts. It became the best selling Reggae Album of all time.
- May 1986
The Marley Museum opens in Kingston on the site of his home, headquarters of Tuff Gong Records.
- February 1990
February 6th is declared a national holiday in Jamaica.
- January 1994
Posthumous induction of Bob Marley into the ‘Rock And Roll” Hall of Fame. The induction speech was given by U2 singer Bono. It was accepted by Rita Marley.
- 1999
Time Magazine voted 1977 Album “Exodus” Best Album of the Century. BBC selected “One Love” as song of the Century. BBC also designates “One Love” as Song of the Millennium.
- June 21, 2000
Associated press announced Bob would receive the 2171st Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony was held February 6, 2001.
- January 2001
Received the “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- April 15, 2004
Rolling Stone list the 100 Greatest Artists of all time. Bob is ranked #10.
- July 1, 2006
Part of Church Ave in Brooklyn, NY is named Bob Marley Boulevard.
- 2008
Statute of Bob Marley was inaugurated in Serbia
- 2010
The Wailers Album “Catch a Fire was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- August 7, 2012
Recognized as Bob Marley Day in Los Angeles, California.
- February 2013
Grammy Awards special Tribute to Bob Marley w/ Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Sting, Ziggy & Damion Marley.
- October 2015
Jamaican author Marlon James’ novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings”, a fictional account of the attempted assassination of Marley, won the 2015 Man Booker Prize at a ceremony in London.
- October 2021
The musical Get Up Stand Up– “The Bob Marley Story”, opens at London’s Lyric Theatre in October 2021. It was postponed from its original February premiere due to the covid-19 pandemic.
- February 2022
Paramount pictures will be doing a Bob Marley biopic with Kingsley Ben-Adir as leading actor; the musical movie will focus on Marley’s life and career.