Jamaica's Most Memorable Reggae Artist
Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley)

Bob Marley is noted as Jamaica's original ambassador of reggae, a Rastafarian with membership in the influential Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Where He Was Born

Born in St. Ann, to Cedella Booker and Captain Norval Marley on February 6, 1945, Robert Nesta Marley otherwise known as Bob Marley, and lived part of his life in the Trench town area, and was known as a very spiritual individual.

When Bob Married

He married Rita Marley in 1966, but not until his death was it known publicly that they were actual married. It was always whispered that she took his name but was not really married.

But let me make a short detour for just a moment.

I loved it when after his burial, Rita documented her marriage to Bob by publishing in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper her married pictures. That ended all speculation.

He loved women and seems to have an open marriage, because he fathered eleven children by various women, all the time still married to Rita.

Rita's Book

But not until several years after his death did Rita Marley published her book, No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley.

Her biography is an eye opener into her life, her feelings, the love she and Bob had for each other that enable him to put his career first, and the very very strong woman she is.

Kudos to Rita Marley.

I digress again, lets get back to Bob and his music.

His Music

I had the opportunity to meet Peter Tosh just as his star was just rising. I worked on the platform of a bank in Jamaica then and he came in to open an account.

Everyone who was in the bank all got so excited, he was gracious to all.

Bob Marley & Wailers had lots of stories to sing about relating to the struggles of blacks and Africans against the oppression from and of course the injustices of Babylon.

Their music was a mix of African drumming traditions with Jamaican rhythms and American rock guitar. All the while singing about social change worldwide and of unity among everyone.

You can purchase some of Bob's best musical hits right here.

Earlier Sound - Ska

Bob started with Ska music that was the hot new dance floor music. This music was heavily influenced by rhythm and blues. Bob's music was sweet and you wanted to dance whenever you heard the distinct sounds of ska.

Bob's Spiritual Awakening

In the 1970's Bob became a member of the influential Twelve Tribes of Israel.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel is a Rastafarian sect that divides members by birth month into houses with a name and a color and gave Bob Marley the name Joseph which means a fruitful bough according to the Bible.

Now being influenced by the Rastafarian beliefs his music changed.

Journey To International Awareness

Catch a Fire

One of the Wailers finest hit was recorded in 1963 in collaboration with Lee Perry, the huge hit Simmer Down, Duppy Conqueror and others.

Their success and the start up of their own studio, allowed them an opportunity to be songwriters for an international star, Johnny Nash, with another hit named Stir It Up.

Their international momentum was on the rise.

Reggae's international recognition came when the Wailers was signed to the Island Record label, owned by Chris Blackwell.

From this cover picture you know the meaning of the song Catch a Fire [Vinyl], it was first released in 1973 and with the eleven albums that followed, you know all became an instant classic.

Under the guidance of Chris Blackwell the group became Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Bob entertained and performed all over the world for almost twenty years always calling for unity and freedom.

The Journey Ends

In 1980 Bob was diagnosed with malignant cancer that affected his lungs and brain. He died a year later at the age of thirty-six.

He is buried in his hometown of Nine Miles.

Jamaica honored him by bestowing upon Bob the Order of Merit - one of our highest honors and was also awarded the united Nations' Peace Medal.

Bob's Legacy

Today we have Rita Marley's Bob Marley Foundation that help develop the musical careers of new Jamaican artists.

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