BOB MARLEY
BORN: Feb 6th 1945
CHINESE SIGN:WOOD ROOSTER
Marley received the tags "Rasta Prophet", "visionary", a "revolutionary artist", but only in the few last years of his life (Bob Marley Biography). Before he received this recognition, though, he had a life filled with abandonment, disappointment, depression, and pain. It all started in Santa Anna on February 6th, 1945, the day Robert Nesta Marley was born (Boot, et. al. 35). The abandonment started the next day. The day after Cedella, Bob's mother, gave birth to him, his father, a Jamaican white man working for the British navy, left for Kingston and did not return. He did send them money, but he did not keep in touch with them. Growing up without a father Bob, at a young age, began reading palms (Boot, et. al. 38). "He read them so well he freaked people out because he knew the most intimate details of their lives" (Bob Marley-www.rockall.com…). When he was seven, however when a woman asked him to read her palm, he gallantly told her he was not reading palms anymore, because he was a singer (Boot, et. al. 38).
Few years after that event, Bob's father showed up in Santa Anna. He tried to persuade Cedella, his ex-wife by now, to put Bob up for adoption to his brother, thus agreeing never to see him again, but she did not want to be away from him (Boot, et. al. 38). Finally the two made an agreement: Bob was to go to Kingston with his father where he would receive an education (Bob Marley-www.rockhall.com). In Kingston Bob's father virtually abandoned him. He left him with an elderly woman named Mrs. Grey, promising to return shortly. He never did. Marley returned home shortly after that.
A few years later Cedella and Bob moved to Trenchtown, a suburban town of Kingston, which was named that because it laid over the central sewage system of Kingstown (Boot, et. al. 44). Bob met a couple of boys there, and they became instant friends. He and two of his friends, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston [later known as Bunny Wailer], formed a musical group. They named it The Wailing Rudeboys (Boot, et. al. 64). Soon after that Bobs mother, Cedella, married Bunny's father, thus becoming Cedella Livingston. Later, Cedella gave birth to a baby girl (63). This truly put pressure on Bob, because he was used to all of the attention he received from his mother, and now that attention was split (63). One could say that he was a real "mamas boy".
After giving birth to Bob's sister, Cedella realized that her marriage to Bunny's meant nothing, so she left for Delaware to escape it (The Story of Bob…). Soon after that Marley's career as a singer began showing traces of stardom. By now The Wailing Rudeboys changed their name and image. They first changed their name to The Wailing Wailers, then eventually shortening it to The Wailers. They also changed the style in their songs. They went from obvious "wannabeism"(Slokar) of American blues, R&B, and soul groups to ska->rock-steady->reggae masters during their existence.
The Wailers finally made a few compilation albums, but with just national stardom. After those few first albums Bobs live changed tremendously. He converted to Rastafarianism. Rastafarianism is a form of Christianity that still follows some primitive Jewish and ancient Egyptian customs (Beliefs…). For example: they believe in Jah, or Jehovah, and they recognize Ra, the Egyptian god of sun. Rastas also recognize Haile Selassie I, The Emperor of Ethiopia, as the living Son of God (Beliefs…). His new found faith led him to a radical change in his music. Inspired by Rastafari his songs started to reflect his belief Jah. This new belief led him to conflict with his record label Coxsone Records, so The Wailers started their own record company called Wail `N` Soul `M (The Story of Bob…). After a few early successes, the business proved to be too much of a financial burden, so they had to fold (The Story of Bob…).
In 1972, The Wailers` future in music seemed to be in great jeopardy. They did not have a record label and a real agent [Marley, Tosh, and Bunny were acting as agents for their own group] (The Story of Bob…). That was soon to change. It was not long before Marley walked in to the Island Records office in England, and asked to talk to Chris Blackwell, the founder, as a last hope. Fortunately, Blackwell has heard of The Wailers reputation in Jamaica. The Wailers received 4000 pounds [British currency] to compile an album, and for the first time ever a reggae band had access to the best equipment and recording studios (Bob Marley Biography). Their first album on Island Records label, Catch A Fire, received heavy promotion (The Story of Bob…).
After the release of Catch A Fire, The Wailers first international hit record, they were sent on a tour to strengthen them as a live performing band. After three months on the road The Wailers returned to Jamaica. When it was time to go back on tour, Bunny refused to go because he did not like to go on tours. He was replaced by Joe Higgs, the man who gave singing lessons to Peter, Bob and Bunny in their teenage years (The Story of Bob…). When they were finally ready they went on a tour to the United States. There they drew packed houses, just as a opening band to popular American bands like Bruce Springsteen, Sly & The Family Stone, etc (The Story of Bob…). Four shows into the tour, however, they got taken off the tour because they were too good. Supposedly, they had been too good: support bands should not detract from the main attraction (The Story of Bob…).
By the start of 1975 Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh had quit the group to seek their own solo careers, while the band was once again renamed Bob Marley & The Wailers. Later on, both Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer had a successful solo career.
In 1980 Bob Marley & The Wailers were at the peak of international stardom when they flew to Gabon to make their African debut. They did not receive a big welcome. In fact their concert drew the young crowd, who questioned this half white man: who did he think he was to come to Africa and preach to them about African unity and Rastafari (Tallamon, et. al. 102)!!?? The Wailers, however, after this not so successful trip, got an invitation to perform at the Independence Ceremony of Zimbabwe. That was the greatest honor The Wailers were ever awarded (Bob Marley Biography).
After Zimbabwe, Bob Marley & The Wailers went on a major tour in Europe. At the end of the tour they went to Madison Square Garden in New York, where they played two shows before Bob got seriously ill. Three years earlier Marley injured a toe while playing soccer, his only love after singing. The wound did not heal, and it became cancerous. Doctors diagnosed melanoma, the deadliest for of cancer. "Don't let anyone tell you Bob Marley died of lung cancer from marijuana ", "he died…of melanoma cancer, which was first detected in his big toe" (Bob Marley-www.rockhall.com). One month before his death, bob Marley received The Order of Merit, Jamaicas third highest honor, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the country's culture. Bob Marley passed away in the Miami Hospital on Monday, May 11, 1981, at the age of 36.
On Thursday, May 23, 1981, the honorable Robert Nesta Marley received an official funeral by the people of Jamaica (Bob Marley Biography). Many government officials, as well as thousands of mourners from around the world, attended the funeral (Boot, et. al. 15). His body was laid in a mausoleum in his birthplace, Santa Anna.
Bob Marley, arguably the greatest artist of the 20th century, left a mark on civilization as few preceding him. His inspirational songs of freedom, love, and unity arouse many quiescent feelings in a person. Bob Marley was, is, and always will be an inspiration and a role model for generations to come. Marleys` legacy of a united world shall live forever. May the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley rest in eternal peace!!!!!!!
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