Bob Marley's Early Life
Born on February 6, 1945, Robert Nesta Marley was the son of 18 year old Cedella Booker and Norval Marley. His father was a Jamaican of English descent while his mother was a black teenager. He spent the early part of his life in Nine Miles, a rural community in the mountainous parish of St. Ann. The residents of Nine Miles held onto a lot of customs from their African ancestry -- especially the art of storytelling as the vehicle they use to share the past.
Marley's parents, Norval and Cedella, got married in 1945 despite disapproval from Norval's father. Even though Captain Marley disapproved of the marriage, he did provide some financial support to the young couple. Bob last saw his paternal grandfather when he was five years old when his father took him to Kingston to live with his nephew and attend school. When Cedella learned eighteen months later, she traveled to Kingston to take him home to Nine Miles.
Cedella was uncertain about the possibility of a music career for her son, so she encouraged him to learn a trade. When he left school at 14, his mother found him an apprenticeship with a welder and he reluctantly accepted. After a short period on the job, Bob had a small splinter of steel embed itself in his eye and he quit shortly thereafter to focus on his music ("Remembering").
Norval, Cedella, and Robert
"Trench Town Rock"
Bob moved to Kingston in the late 1950s to begin his music career. Eventually, he settled in the western vicinity of the capital called Trench Town. Due to the rough and tumble nature of the low-income community, Marley learned how to defend himself and developed formidable street-fighting skills that earned him the nickname, Tuff Gong.
Despite the unsavory nature of the neighborhood, Trench Town was culturally rich and allowed Marley's musical talents to blossom. The area was a source of inspiration throughout his life and Marley used his songs to immortalize Trench Town; "No Woman No Cry" (1974), "Trench Town Rock" (1975), and "Trench Town" (1983).
The island's music industry began taking shape in the early 1960s and it gave rise to ska. Ska was the local version of American soul and R&B. The genre had a widespread influence on the poor Jamaican youth, but it also offered an escape from harsh reality.
When he was 16, Bob Marley met Desmond Dekker, a fellow aspiring singer, who later went on to top the UK charts with "Israelites." Dekker introduced Bob to Jimmy Cliff, who had already recorded a few hit songs and would later go on to star in the film, "The Harder They Come." In 1962, Cliff introduced Marley to the producer Leslie Kong. Bob Marley's first singles were cut for Kong: "Judge Not," "Terror," and "One More Cup of Coffee." The songs did not impress the public and he was paid only $20.00, a common exploitative practice during this time. It is rumored that Marley told Kong that he would make a large profit from his recordings one day but he would never be able to enjoy it. Sure enough, years later Kong released a best of The Wailers album against the band's wishes and died of a heart attack shortly thereafter ("Remembering").
The Wailers
The Wailers was the group made up of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Livingston and was formed in 1963. In February 1966, Marley married Rita Marley, she introduced him to Rastafarianism. Bob, Tosh, and Livingston had fully embraced Rastafarianism by 1969 and it had a great influence on the group's music in particular and on reggae music in general. The Wailers collaborated with Lee Scratch Perry, which resulted in some of the group's best tracks such as: "Soul Rebel," "Duppy Conqueror," "400 Years," and "Small Axe." Perry sold the records in England under the assumption that they were his, which resulted in the bitter end of the collaboration. Despite the bitter end of the collaboration, Perry inadvertently brought the music to the attention to Chris Blackwell, the owner of Island Records. Blackwell signed The Wailers immediately and produced their first album, "Catch a Fire."
In 1974, Tosh and Livingston left the band to start their own solo careers. Later, Bob formed "Bob Marley and the Wailers ("Remembering")."
Later Life
Bob Marley had an attempt on his life in 1976 during a period of spiraling political violence in Jamaica. He then left for England and lived there in self-exile for two years. Marley produced "Exodus" in England, which stayed on the British charts for 56 straight weeks. "Kaya" shortly followed and was also successful. This success simultaneously introduced reggae to the western world for the first time and established the start of Bob Marley's international status.
He consulted with a doctor in 1977 when a would to his big toe would not heal, tests later revealed malignant melanoma. When doctors recommended amputating his toe, Bob refused and claimed that it went against his Rastafarian beliefs. Others claim that his main reason for refusal was the possibility that it would have a negative impact on his dancing. His cancer was kept a secret from the public while he continued working.
Marley returned to Jamaica in 1978 and continued to world and released "Survivial" a year later, which was followed by a very successful European tour. It was a period of great success for Bob Marley, and he started an American tour to reach out to blacks in the US. He played two shows at Madison Square Garden, but collapsed while he was jogging in Central Park on September 21, 1980. His cancer had spread to his brain, lungs, and stomach. Bob Marley passed away in a Miami hospital on May 11, 1981 at the age of 36. Bob and Rita had five children: Sharon Marley Prendergast (adopted), Cedella Marley, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, and Stephanie (possibly adopted). Bob Marley also had seven illegitimate children: Rohan (b. 1972), Robbie (b. 1972), Karen (b. 1973), Julian Marley, Damian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, and Makeda Jahnesta (b. May 22, 1981) ("Remembering").
Rastafarianism and Reggae
Nyabingi is the traditional music of the Rastafarian religion and is used during reasoning sessions; it is a blend of African drumming and 19th century gospel music. The music uses chanting and drumming to help Rastas reach a state of heightened spirituality. The chants convey ideas of black redemption and returning to their countries of origin. Bob Marley is credited with spreading awareness of the religion in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Australia through both his music and physical appearance. Marley's lyrics protested against the inequality that was rampant in the black community (BBC). The following quotes illustrate how Bob Marley's lyrics expanded Rastafarian ideas:
Full lyrics for Get Up, Stand Up here
"We are sick and tired of your ism-schism game, to die and go to heaven in Jesus' name. We know and understand almighty God is a living man."Bob Marley, Get Up, Stand Up, Tuff Going Music, 1973
"These lyrics re-state the Rastafarian teaching of the suppression of blacks by whites, and the understanding that Haile Selassie is the Living God who will eventually redeem the Rastafarian community (BBC)."
"We know where we're going, we know where we're from. We're leaving Babylon, going to our Father's land."
Bob Marley, Exodus, Music BVI/Rondor Music, 1977
"This refers to the repatriation themes of Rastafari and the return, from Babylon and its suppressors, to the promised land of Africa (BBC)."
LegacyBob Marley's music had a strong influence on populations despite race, color, or creed. His music challenges colonialism, racism, and "fighting against -ism and schism," as he sand in "One Drop," has had great effects in countries in which English is not widely spoken. In August 2008, two musicians from Serbia and Croatia unveiled a statue of Bob Marley during a music festival in Serbia; the inscription on the monument read, "Bob Marley, Fighter for Freedom Armed with a Guitar."
Bob Marley's One Drop, find the lyrics here
Marley's birthday is celebrated for three days with a cultural festival in Koh Lipe, Thailand. In New Zealand, Marley's life and music are an essential part of Waitangi Day (February 6) observances honoring the treaty that unified the country's European settlers and the indigenous Maori people. On April 6, 1979, when Marley visited New Zealand for a concert, the Maori greeted him with a traditional song and dance ceremony that is reserved for visiting dignitaries ("Remembering").References:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/music.shtml
http://www.bobmarley.com/history/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002490/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
