Bob Marley 2/6/1945 - 5/11/1981
Bob
Marley was born 6 February 1945 in a small village called Nine Miles in the
parish of St. Ann, Jamaica. His father was a white British Naval Officer named
Norval Marley.
Bob had only a scant recollection of his father. This was largely due to the
fact that the 'well to do' Marley family did not approve of the relationship
Norval had formed with Bobs mother Cedella. His father therefore, despite
marrying Cedella, was more an occasional visitor.
He did not live to witness the success of his son Bob.
Bob cut his first record at the age of 16 in Kingston. A song called 'Judge
Not'.
In 1963 the original Wailers were formed, the line-up being Bob Marley, Bunny
Livingstone (who was later to take the name Wailer), and Peter Tosh. Their first
song 'Simmer Down' was an instant number one in Jamaica.
In 1966 Haile Sellasie visited Jamaica and Bob and the other Wailers embraced
the Rastafarian faith and began to grow their 'locks'. Also at around this time
they teamed up with the producer Lee Perry for what was to become a very
productive but ultimately soured relationship. The union ceased when Perry
allegedly sold their material to another label without their knowledge.
In 1972 Chris Blackwell signed the Wailers to his 'Island' label, and gave them
8000 to produce a record. The result - 'Catch A Fire', released in 1973 - was a
breakthrough album, triggering international recognition of the Wailers. In the
UK they appeared on BBC television, and in New York they opened for Bruce
Springsteen at Max's Kansas City Club.
The touring schedule proved too much for Bunny and he announced his intention
to quit the Wailers. Soon followed by Peter Tosh who left to concentrate on a
solo career.
And so a new line up emerged, with Bob being the front man of 'Bob Marley and
the Wailers'. He retained the stalwart rhythm section of the Barrett brothers
(Aston and Carlton) on bass and drums, and added a trio of female backing
vocalists called the 'I-Threes', one of which was his wife Rita who had sung
occasionally with the Wailers since the beginning. The first album of the new
line-up 'Natty Dread' was a major success. In 1975 Bob Marley and the Wailers
played the Roxy in Los Angeles. Among the ectstatic audience (apparently some
were dancing on the tables) were Beatles George and Ringo, Bob Dylan, and Jack
Nicholson!
Back home in Jamaica Bob was becoming revered as a mystic and prophet, his
influence was noted by politicians. When Bob approached the then Prime Minister
Michael Manley offering to stage a free concert he responded by fixing a date (5
December) that would conveniently coincide with the national elections, thus
implying that he had the support of Bob Marley. This dangerous move resulted in
an attempt on Bobs life. On the evening of the 3 December a number of gunmen
arrived at Bobs house on Hope Road and shot Bob, his wife Rita, and his manager.
These gunmen were thought to be the henchmen of the opposition leader Edward
Seaga. Fortunately, nobody was killed, and Bob went ahead with the planned
concert defiantly appearing with his arm in a sling.
The following year Bob
cancelled the last few dates of a big European tour when doctors diagnosed
melanoma cancer in the big toe of his right foot. This was the result of a
neglected football injury (football being Bobs other major passion alongside
music) which occured in Paris when the Wailers took on a team of French
journalists some time earlier.
Back home in Jamaica the gunmen leaders of the two warring political factions
(The Jamaican Labour Party and the Peoples National Party) approached Bob and
asked him to perform at a concert marking a truce between them. The concert
titled the 'One Love' Concert took place on 22 April 1978. During the concert
Bob persuaded the Prime Minister Manley and the opposition leader Seaga to join
him on stage where they shook hands. An incredible event in Jamaica at that
time. As a reult of this act Bob received the United Nations' Peace Medal in New
York the following June.
During 1979 Bob introduced reggae music to the world, touring Japan, Australia
and New Zealand.
In 1980 he headlined the independence celebrations in Zimbabwe, one of the
dignitaries present being non other than Prince Charles!
In September of this same year Bob collapsed while jogging in Central Park, New
York, just after commencing the American leg of a world tour with the
'Commodores' playing support. Doctors told him the shocking news that the cancer
(previously considered to have been cleared) had returned and was present in his
lungs and brain. Despite this he flew to Pittsburg where on the 23 September
1980 he performed his last concert at the Stanley Theatre.
Initially Bob was treated in New York but the doctors eventually said there was
nothing more they could do for him. He flew to Bavaria where he was treated by
the unconventional Dr Issels. First signs were encouraging and for a while it
appeared that Bob was improving. However by the beginning of May Dr Issels had
to tell him that there was no longer any hope. Bob intended to end his days back
in Jamaica but was so ill that he had to check into a hospital in Miami en
route.
Here he died on 11 May 1981.
His body was returned to Jamaica where it was placed in a specially constructed
mausoleum at his birthplace, Nine Miles.