Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

Happy EarthDay to Robert Nesta Marley, Many Blessings rain down from Bro. Bob

(http://www.hotshotdigital.com/OldRock/BobMarley.Images/marley3.jpg)

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Bob's History

Bob Marley was born 6 February 1945 in a small village called Nine Miles in the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica. His father was a white British Naval Officer named Norval Marley. Bob had only a scant recollection of his father. This was largely due to the fact that the 'well to do' Marley family did not approve of the relationship Norval had formed with Bobs mother Cedella. His father therefore, despite marrying Cedella, was more an occasional visitor. He did not live to witness the success of his son Bob.

Bob cut his first record at the age of 16 in Kingston. A song called 'Judge Not'.

In 1963 the original Wailers were formed, the line-up being Bob Marley, Bunny Livingstone (who was later to take the name Wailer), and Peter Tosh. Their first song 'Simmer Down' was an instant number one in Jamaica.

In 1966 Haile Sellasie visited Jamaica and Bob and the other Wailers embraced the Rastafarian faith and began to grow their 'locks'. Also at around this time they teamed up with the producer Lee Perry for what was to become a very productive but ultimately soured relationship. The union ceased when Perry allegedly sold their material to another label without their knowledge.

In 1980 he headlined the independence celebrations in Zimbabwe, one of the dignitaries present being non other than Prince Charles!
In September of this same year Bob collapsed while jogging in Central Park, New York, just after commencing the American leg of a world tour with the 'Commodores' playing support. Doctors told him the shocking news that the cancer (previously considered to have been cleared) had returned and was present in his lungs and brain. Despite this he flew to Pittsburg where on the 23 September 1980 he performed his last concert at the Stanley Theatre.

Initially Bob was treated in New York but the doctors eventually said there was nothing more they could do for him. He flew to Bavaria where he was treated by the unconventional Dr Issels. First signs were encouraging and for a while it appeared that Bob was improving. However by the beginning of May Dr Issels had to tell him that there was no longer any hope. Bob intended to end his days back in Jamaica but was so ill that he had to check into a hospital in Miami en route.

Here he died on 11 May 1981.

His body was returned to Jamaica where it was placed in a specially constructed mausoleum at his birthplace, Nine Miles.

http://www.hotshotdigital.com/OldRock/BobMarleyBio.html

I remember travelling with my family, a priviledged white kid, 12 years old in 1967, throughout the Carribbean.  While in St Croix, we heard this incredible music one night coming from a theater.  We had never heard anything like it.  It had this major base line and uplifiting spirit to it.  I told all my friends about it back home and wondered what it was all about.  I also saw a very few people here and there who had their hair like egyptians.  What was this all about, I wondered.  It set my mind in motion, I can tell you that.  

Sometimes I wonder how we could get through all this without music. Some of these artists gave their lives to get us through the turbulence.