The Legacy of Bob Marley: Was He an International Icon of Reggae
Contents
The late musician Bob Marley was an international icon of the reggae genre. Here’s a look at his legacy and influence.
Bob Marley’s Life
Early life and musical influences
Bob Marley was born 6 February 1945 on the farm of his maternal grandfather in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Booker. Norval Marley was a Jamaican of English descent who married Cedella Booker, a black Jamaican then eighteen years old. They had been together for two years and lived in the village of Wilmington, Saint Ann. The Bob Marley officially registered as robert Nesta Marley. His nickname was “Tuff Gong”, given to him by fellow student Clive “Zeb” Palmer.
Marley’s musical career began when he was still a teenager. He started out playing ska with local musicians in Kingston. He then formed his own band, The Wailers, which soon became one of the biggest reggae bands in history
Rise to fame
Bob Marley’s international fame rose rapidly following the release of the album Exodus in 1977, which was named Album of the Year by Time magazine. His 1977 album, Exodus, became one of the best-selling albums of all time, cementing his reputation as reggae’s foremost performer.
Bob Marley’s music often dealt with the struggles of the oppressed, and he was a social and political activist throughout his career. In October 1972, Marley and the Wailers were scheduled to perform two concerts in Jamaica to coincide with the week of national elections. The first concert was to take place on October 17 at National Heroes Park in Kingston, and the second was set for October 18 at Montego Bay. Both concerts were postponed due to violence that erupted during the election period.
On December 3, 1976, Marley was shot in the arm and chest by unknown assailants at his home in Kingston. The attack was thought to be politically motivated, as Marley was scheduled to play a free concert in support of Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley’s re-election campaign two days later. However, the concert went on as planned, and Marley performed with his arm in a sling.
After relocating to England in 1977, Marley continued to be involved in social and political activism. He spoke out against racism and inequality, and he supported various charities throughout his career. In 1980, he headlined the United Nations’ Peace Concert in New York City. This concert was held in response to UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim’s call for peace following the outbreak of war between Iran and Iraq.
In 1981, Marley was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit for his contributions to the country’s music industry. He was also posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Bob Marley’s Music
From the whirling, syncopated beats to the conscious lyrics, Bob Marley’s music has become synonymous with the reggae genre. His messages of love, peace, and social justice have resonated with people all over the world, making him an international icon. In this article, we’ll take a look at the legacy of Bob Marley and his impact on the world.
The Wailers
The Wailers were a Jamaican reggae band formed by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer in 1963. The band grew to prominence in the 1970s with their brand of ska, rocksteady, and reggae that Bob Marley’s international status as a reggae icon. The Wailers’ most famous lineup featured Marley, Tosh, and Buju Banton on vocals, with Aston “Family Man” Barrett and his brothers Carlisle on drums and bass respectively.
After Bunny Wailer left the group in 1974 (due to creative differences), the band continued on as a trio until 1980, when Bob Marley died of cancer. The remaining members of the group went on to have successful solo careers, but the death of their leader left The Wailers without its main source of inspiration. The group officially disbanded in 1981.
Solo career
In 1962, Bob Marley recorded his first song, “Judge Not”. The cut was included on the Wailers’ 1963 debut LP, The Wailing Wailers, but it was not until February 6, 1965, that he released his first single as a solo artist, “Simmer Down”. The song, which denounced violence among the early ska fans known as rudies, became an instant hit in Jamaica, quickly climbing to number one on the local charts. It sold an unprecedented 80,000 copies and remained on the island’s music charts for an astounding thirty-three weeks.
Legacy
Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer-songwriter who rose to international fame in the 1970s with his reggae music. His music was heavily influenced by Rastafarianism, and it helped to spread the Rastafarian message of peace, love, and unity around the world. Bob Marley’s songs are still popular today, and he is widely considered to be one of the most influential musicians of all time.
Bob Marley’s Impact
On February 6, 1981, Bob Marley passed away at the young age of 36. Marley’s impact was not just felt in his home country of Jamaica, but around the world. His music brought people together and helped to spread the message of peace and love. Marley’s legacy continues to this day, and he is still considered to be one of the most influential musicians of all time.
On Jamaican music
By the 1970s, Marley was a committed Rastafari who infused his music with a profound sense of spirituality. His faith greatly influenced his music, and he is quoted as having said, “My music fights against the system that teaches to live and die.” And, in fact, many of Marley’s songs do represent a struggle against oppression and violence. “Burnin’ and Lootin’,” for example, is about the 1973 uprising in Kingston, Jamaica that left hundreds dead. And “War,” perhaps his best-known song, advocates for peace and love instead of war and hatred. But while Marley’s lyrics often contained political messages, he was always careful not to align himself with any one political party or movement.
On reggae music
Bob Marley’s impact on reggae music cannot be overstated. He is widely considered to be the most influential reggae artist of all time, and his music has been hugely popular both in Jamaica and around the world. Marley’s distinctive vocal style and unique songwriting talent helped to popularize reggae music and make it more mainstream. His experiments with different musical styles also helped to broaden the appeal of reggae, making it more accessible to a wider range of listeners.
On popular culture
In addition to his music, Marley became an icon of Jamaican culture and a symbol of rebelliousness. His face adorned T-shirts, lighters, bandanas, and other merchandise. In the 1985 British film Rockers, Marley was one of several reggae musicians to make a cameo appearance. He also appeared in the films Countryman (1982) and Survival (1979). A Bob Marley Museum was established in his hometown of Kingston in 1987, and there are numerous other memorials to him, including the Bob Marley Mausoleum in Nine Mile and the Bob Marley Theatre in Montego Bay.
