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woman at a concert putting hands in a heart shape
woman at a concert putting hands in a heart shape
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SBU | Culture

A Tribute to Bob Marley

Sofi Schwarzmueller Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Bob Marley, born Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican-born singer, songwriter, musician and political activist. His music, a combination of reggae, ska and rocksteady, explores topics like faith and Rastafarianism, love and unity as well as oppression and suffering. Beginning his musical career with childhood friends Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and the Wailers, previously known as The Teenagers and later on The Wailing Rudeboys, thrusted the voice of Jamaica into the pop culture of the 60s and 70s. 

But Bob Marley’s music was more than just a beautiful form of artistry. Marley sang of the struggles his people were facing on the island as well as of their culture and spirit, and he used his voice to bring awareness to political violence and advocate for peace in his homeland. On December 3rd, 1976, Marley was the victim of an assassination attempt, believed to be politically-motivated, in which he was shot in his home and survived. His wife, Rita Marley, and his manager, Don Taylor, were also injured. However, the attempt on his life did not deter Marley from fighting for his dream of a peaceful and united Jamaica. Marley performed just two days later, and his display of resilience only reinforced the fact that his impactful artistry was being heard all around the world. 

One of Bob Marley’s most iconic moments of political activism occurred at the One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, Jamaica. It was during the singing of his hit song “Jamming” that Marley brought together the hands of the Prime Minister and his opposition on stage in a display of unity. It is unofficially known as one of the most iconic concerts in history. 

Tragically, Bob Marley was diagnosed with cancer in 1977 and slowly succumbed to his illness until he passed away in 1981 at just 36 years old. Bob Marley is survived by his wife, Rita Marley, as well as his twelve children, the oldest of which (Ziggy Marley) went on to create his own music that echoed his father’s same values. 

The legacy that Bob Marley built for reggae music and for future Jamaican artists is still remembered today. Bob Marley and The Wailers are ranked #336 in the world by Spotify, with more than nineteen-million listeners each month, and February 14th marks the release of Bob Marley: One Love, a film that will explore his life and rise to fame. Bob Marley’s impact is heard in reggae music today, and his stardom will forever remain a story of inspiration.

Sofi Schwarzmueller

SBU '26

Sofi is a third-year student from Buffalo, New York (GO BILLS!), and is currently pursuing an English degree with a biology minor at St. Bonaventure University. Sofi contributes to SBU’s chapter of Her Campus as Social Media Coordinator and Big/Little Coordinator. Outside of Her Campus, Sofi plays for the school’s club soccer team, tutors in the Writing Lab, and helps manage the social media of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern.

In her free time, Sofi can often be found curled up with a Sarah J. Maas book or making yet another new Spotify playlist. She also loves re-watching Outer Banks and being active, including snowboarding and hitting the gym.

From hidden music finds, to book recommendations, to stories of personal growth and inspiration, Sofi loves to write it all and is elated to spend her last semester as an undergraduate surrounded by the sisterhood that is HCSBU.