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.