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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Marley" redirects here. For other uses, see Marley (disambiguation) and Bob Marley (disambiguation).
The Honourable
Bob Marley
OM
Marley in 1976
Born Robert Nesta Marley
6 February 1945
Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
Died 11 May 1981 (aged 36)
Miami, Florida, US
Resting place Bob Marley Mausoleum, Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
Other names
SkipTuff Gong
Occupations
Singersongwriterguitarist
Years active 1962–1980
Spouse Rita Marley (m. 1966)
Children 11, including:
SharonCedellaDavid "Ziggy"StephenRohanJulianKy-ManiDamian
Parent(s) Norval Sinclair Marley (father)
Cedella Booker (mother)
Relatives
Skip Marley (grandson)
YG Marley (grandson)
Nico Marley (grandson)
Jo Mersa Marley (grandson)
Bambaata Marley (grandson)
Selah Marley (granddaughter)
Donisha Prendergast (granddaughter)
Musical career
Genres
Reggaeskarocksteadyfolk[1]
Instruments
Vocalsguitar
Labels
Beverley'sStudio OneJADWail'n Soul'mUpsetterTuff GongIsland
Formerly of The Wailers
Website bobmarley.com
Robert Nesta Marley OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Regarded as one of the pioneers of reggae music, he blended reggae, ska, and rocksteady elements, gaining recognition for his unique vocal and songwriting style. Marley helped bring Jamaican music to the global stage and became an international cultural figure. Known as a Rastafarian icon, he infused his music with spirituality. He became a symbol of Jamaican music, culture, and identity, and was outspoken in supporting democratic social reforms. Marley also advocated for cannabis legalization and Pan-Africanism.
Born in Nine Mile, Jamaica, Marley began his musical journey in 1963, forming the group Teenagers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, which later evolved into The Wailers. Their debut studio album, The Wailing Wailers (1965), featured the hit "One Love," establishing them as a significant force in reggae. The Wailers would release 11 more albums before signing with Island Records and becoming known as Bob Marley and the Wailers. Over time, their musical style shifted, especially as Marley embraced Rastafarianism. Marley moved to London in the early 1970s, and the group’s sound evolved further with the release of The Best of The Wailers (1971).
Marley and the Wailers gained international recognition after signing with Island Records and touring in support of Catch a Fire and Burnin' (both 1973). After the band’s breakup in 1974, Marley continued to perform under the band’s name. His breakthrough came with the live version of “No Woman, No Cry” (1975) and the album Rastaman Vibration (1976), which achieved success in the United States. Later that year, Marley survived an assassination attempt at his home in Jamaica, believed to be politically motivated. Marley moved to London, where he recorded Exodus, which combined blues, soul, and British rock influences, achieving both commercial and critical success. In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma, and he passed away on May 11, 1981.
Marley's legacy lives on, with his greatest hits album Legend (1984) becoming the best-selling reggae album of all time. He ranks as one of the best-selling music artists ever, with over 75 million records sold worldwide. Posthumously, Marley received numerous honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He was also recognized by Jamaica with the Order of Merit, and Rolling Stone ranked him among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Early Life
The house on a farm in Nine Mile, Jamaica, where Marley was born on February 6, 1945, is now a popular tourist site.
Marley was born to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Malcolm in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Norval was a white Jamaican born in Clarendon Parish, and his cousins claimed that the Marley surname had Syrian-Jewish origins, although this is speculative. Norval, who went by "Captain," was 64 years old at the time of Bob's birth, while Cedella was only 18. Marley's father offered little financial support, and when he died when Bob was 10 years old, Marley was raised primarily by his mother. Some reports suggest Marley's birth name was Nesta Robert Marley, as a Jamaican passport official reversed his first and middle names during his childhood.
Marley’s maternal grandfather, Omariah, had a significant influence on Marley’s music. Marley began playing music with childhood friend Neville Livingston (Bunny Wailer) while attending Stepney Primary and Junior High School. They formed a vocal group, which later became The Wailers.
At age 12, Marley moved to Kingston’s Trenchtown area with his mother, where his musical exploration continued. He formed a vocal harmony group with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. Influenced by local ska music and American R&B, they would go on to establish The Wailers. Marley was introduced to guitar playing by Joe Higgs, a local musician who helped develop the group’s vocal harmonies.
Career
Main article: Bob Marley and the Wailers
1962–1972: Early years
Marley recorded four songs in February 1962, including "Judge Not" and "One Cup of Coffee," for local producer Leslie Kong. In 1963, Marley, Wailer, Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith formed the group The Teenagers, which eventually became The Wailers. Their song “Simmer Down” became a Jamaican hit, selling around 70,000 copies. By 1966, Braithwaite, Kelso, and Smith had left, leaving Marley, Wailer, and Tosh as the core members.
In 1966, Marley married Rita Anderson and briefly lived in the United States, working at DuPont and Chrysler plants. He also converted to Rastafarianism during this period, embracing the faith’s philosophy and growing dreadlocks. Upon returning to Jamaica, Marley and the band worked with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry to record some of their finest work.
In 1969, the beat of Jamaican popular music shifted to a slower, more steady rhythm known as reggae, and Marley and the Wailers adopted this new sound, which would be showcased in their 1971 album The Best of The Wailers.
1972–1974: Move to Island Records
In 1972, Marley signed with CBS Records and toured the UK with Johnny Nash. While in London, The Wailers were introduced to Chris Blackwell of Island Records, who offered them a recording deal. Their first album for Island, Catch a Fire (1973), was a landmark release that marked the first time a reggae band had access to a major studio. The album was a success, receiving positive reviews and opening doors for Marley on the international music scene.
The Wailers' follow-up, Burnin' (1973), featured the iconic song “I Shot the Sheriff,” which was later covered by Eric Clapton. This song became Clapton's first major hit since "Layla." After the band's breakup in 1974, Marley continued recording and performing as "Bob Marley & The Wailers."
1974–1976: Line-up changes and Assault
Following the disbandment of The Wailers, Marley continued with a new lineup, which included Carlton and Aston Barrett, Junior Marvin, Al Anderson, Tyrone Downie, Earl Lindo, and Alvin Patterson. In 1975, Marley had a breakthrough hit with "No Woman, No Cry" from the Live! album.
On December 3, 1976, two days before a political concert called "Smile Jamaica," Marley survived an assassination attempt at his home. The attack was believed to be politically motivated, as many saw the concert as a rally in support of Prime Minister Michael Manley. Despite being injured, Marley performed at the concert, with the band Zap Pow playing as his backup.
1976–1979: Relocation to England
Marley moved to England in late 1976, spending two years recording his albums Exodus and Kaya. Exodus was a commercial and critical success, staying on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks. While in London, Marley was arrested for cannabis possession.
In 1978, Marley returned to Jamaica to perform at the One Love Peace Concert, a political event aimed at easing tensions between opposing political factions. He famously brought together political rivals Michael Manley and Edward Seaga on stage to shake hands.
1979–1980: Later years
In 1979, Marley released the politically charged album Survival, which included tracks like "Zimbabwe," "Africa Unite," and "Wake Up and Live." Marley continued to support African liberation movements, notably speaking out against apartheid in South Africa.
Marley’s final studio album, Uprising (1980), included the hit songs "Redemption Song" and "Forever Loving Jah." It was one of his most religious works. He passed away from cancer in May 1981, shortly after being baptized
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