A poverty stricken Jamaican child sits on the side of a street in Kingston, drumming on a vegetable bin and singing to the beat. Robert Nesta Marley was only five, but it was clear music was his destiny. You might know him better as Bob Marley and he is without a doubt the most famous figure to emerge from the reggae community. His musical career beginning with his first band was influenced by his unique Rastafarian religious beliefs. It continued with his tumultuous lifestyle where he dealt with assassination attempts, and ending with his tragic death at 36 from cancer. Although Bob Marley died in 1981 he is still recognized as a major musical influence by pop culture.
Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in the rural areas of Nine Mile, Jamaica. He was the sixth of nine children and was born of a scandal when his Mother had an affair with an older army lieutenant. He was incredibly bright as a child and was sent to the nearest city to live with his aunt and get an education at age five. In the large city he became immersed in the world of music and knew right then that he wanted to be a performer. As he started to mature no one knew the career that Bob had ahead of him and the places it would take him.
Bob Marley is synonymous with reggae. He introduced the world to the laid back Jamaican beat. His albums are recognized world wide. The first gold reggae album was “Catch A Fire”. This was also his most successful compilation. His fame peaked following his move to the United States leaving behind his native band, The Wailers.
The Wailers originally consisted of Bob, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Cherry Green and Beverly Kalso and were formed in 1960. The band was discovered at a talent show by Coxsone Dodd who owned a small record company based in Kingston. Later just after signing their first record deal, Junior Braithwaite and Cherry Green quit leaving Bob to be the lead singer. There firs hit was “Simmer Down” that spread throughout...