Remembering Late Reggae Icon, Bob Marley 42 Years After His Death2 min read
It’s been 42 years since Bob Marley died, but his legacy is larger than ever.
The Jamaican singer-songwriter died of melanoma (cancer) in 1981 at the age of 36 years at a hospital in Miami.
At the time of his death, the world was shook with the news but comforted by the illustrious legacy the iconic figure left where he used his music as a tool to fight societal ills as well making it an avenue to unite the human race.
The late Bob Marley had a humble beginning. He was born in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica on February 6, 1945. His father was Norman Marley, a British Naval Captain posted to the West Indies during the Second World War.
Late Marley had little Western education as he dropped out of school at 14 to become an apprentice welder. He soon quit welding to team up with Peter Tosh whom he had met recently and both released a single, Simmer Down which enjoyed a considerable airplay on the local radio.
In 1964, Marley and Tosh formed the Wailing Wailers together with Bunny Livingstone Wailer, Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, Rita Anderson (who later became Rita Marley in 1966), Judy Mowatt, and Marcia Griffith (the 1-Three). The group was popular in Jamaica as it performed in many shows.
During his lifetime, the famed reggae singer had 11 children and created an ever-lasting legacy with his deeply poetic songwriting style which made a global impact and garnered the singer multiple awards.
Bob Marley married Alpharita Constantia “Rita” Anderson in Kingston, Jamaica, on 10 February 1966. Marley had many children: three with his wife Rita, two adopted from Rita’s previous relationships, and several others with different women. The Bob Marley official website acknowledges eleven children.
Marley’s music still lights up many stages as famous musicians continue to memorialise and be inspired by his music and ‘good vibes’ spirit.
Before the reggae singer died, he told his son, Ziggy, ‘Money can’t buy life.’
Even on his deathbed, Bob Marley dropped gems of wisdom.
May Bob Marley continue to rest in peace.
