Bob Marley: The Peaceful Warrior of Music

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Yes, that’s what Bob Marley taught everyone with his immaculate reggae creations that talk about peace and also fighting for peace. Bob Marley was one of the significant music artists who have also been a political activist who died at the age of 36 years. This Rastafarian icon influenced the world during a difficult time when his country Jamaica was through a riot. There was also an attempt to assassinate him yet Marley did not take a day off. He believed that there are bad people out in the world who are not taking a day off and it is his duty to do the same as he was a peaceful warrior who fought against injustice without violence. His songs were his most powerful weapons that captivated the world. Let’s find out more about the legend.

Life & Family 

Robert Nesta Marley OM, better known as Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and composer who became globally famous for his reggae creations. However, his individuality and poetic lyricism are the main ingredients of his popularity. Markey created a special captivating essence by blending the elements of ska, rocksteady, and reggae. The hermit of music quickly became a crucial global figure with his distinctive songwriting and vocals. He created music with a sense of spirituality that uplifted people and advocated for Pan-Africanism.

Marley was born on 6 February 1945 in Nine Mile, Jamaica. His father Norval Sinclair Marley was a veteran and a private who served in the British Army. His mother Cedella Booker was also a noted Jamaican singer who inspired Marley very much. However, life wasn’t easy back then and Marley lost his father when he was only 10 years old. By the age of 12 years, Marley moved to the Trenchtown section of Kingston with his mother and started cultivating himself in music along with his friends. Neville O'Riley Livingston, better known as Bunny Wailer was one of his childhood friends who participated in his musical journey. Later on, he found Winston Hubert McIntosh, another talented musician who is better known as Peter Tosh. Together, the three of them joined forces and created ‘Wailers’, a trio group that captivated all kinds of music enthusiasts.

Musical Career

Bob Markey’s music career started back in 1963 and the Wailers was formed by 1965. The trio released their debut album titled ‘The Wailing Wailers’ which instantly gained attention from the music lovers. Its leading track ‘One Love’ gained international fame and helped reggae reach every corner of the world. After signing with Island Records, the band changed their name to Bob Marley and the Wailers.  The Wailers has dropped a total of 12 studio albums and by the time of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the group reached its peak in the musical journey. While their initial work focused on more soft reggae grooves with folk elements, they shifted their creative pattern and came up with a more engaging rhythmic-based music project. The album is called ‘The Best of The Wailers’ which was released in 1971. Some of the other albums are Catch a Fire, Burnin', Exodus, Kaya, Rastaman Vibration and the list goes on. Each of these album projects is significant proof of the Jamaican Rastafarian movement with a potential theme of Africa and finding justice and freedom against imperialism.

Marley’s musical contributions can invoke different emotions among the listeners that range from rage against the Government to love for the women. With songs like ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ and ‘No Woman, No Cry’, he could easily connect with the mass voice and easily resonate it through the songs. It goes without saying that Bob Marley has paramount importance in the history of global music and he became an evergreen music legend. ‘Legend’ is also the name of his hit project that was released in 1984 and received the label for the best-selling reggae album of all time. Marley is one of the best-selling music artists of all time who has sold more than 75 million records globally and it was a huge deal back then when digital promotion did not work. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and ranks in the no. 11 position on the list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Attempt to Assassination and Death 

As mentioned before, Marley became the voice of protest and an icon of peace. Throughout his musical performances in different places; he only spread the words of love, peace, and spirituality rather than war, hatred, and discrimination. People of Jamaica and other countries from around the world were deeply moved by his words and his apolitical support for people quickly turned into a political movement. While he was establishing the spiritual ideology of Rastafarians, their simple life, and their strong beliefs in nature and marijuana; he slowly became a leader who is followed by the most.

During his The Smile Jamaica concert, an assassination took place to end Marley’s life as the opposition of the country believed that it was a political endorsement by the singer. Just before two days the concert was scheduled, a group of gunmen attacked Marley’s house and injured his wife Rita Marley his manager Don Tyler, and the artist himself. However, he still performed with his mind as a freedom fighter. However, soon he had to leave for the Bahamas and then London to save his life. During the period of exile, he dropped the album ‘Exodus’ which is considered to be a powerful proof of political nexus in Africa.

In 1977, Bob Marley was diagnosed with malignant melanoma which occurred under the nail of his right big toe, a place that can be easily missed. Medical treatment was not very advanced back then. However, doctors were certain that the toe needed to be amputated. But did not listen to them and embarked on a world tour. The cancer cells quickly spread all over his body and unfortunately, the legend had to go. He passed away on 11 May, 1981 yet his eternal presence of a saint can be felt through his songs which are still relevant in the modern world.