Without doubt my favorite musician. R.I.P Bob [YOUTUBE]3VRGANguGQE[/YOUTUBE] Remembering Bob Marley, 30 Years Later On May 11, 1981, the reggae superstar died at age 36. Here's why his musical legacy and personal legend are still holding strong around the world. In our fast-paced world, a celebrity is created virtually every minute. But there are few musical celebrities with a legacy as enduring as that of Nesta Robert "Bob" Marley. Today marks the 30th anniversary of the death of a true musical pioneer, a man whose impact transcended class, race and culture all over the world. The reggae legend inspired an almost spiritual following among a diverse set of believers, who expressed their devotion in iconography as varied as indigenous Australian shrines and posters on college-dorm-room walls. But the question must be asked: Why do so many people connect with Marley? The answer is fairly simple: Marley was an everyman, a gentle soul and a revolutionary. Many have identified with his humble upbringing in the tiny island of Jamaica, the Pan-African beliefs stemming from his Rastafarian faith, and his advocacy of social justice. When he penned politically charged songs like "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Get Up Stand Up," they resonated as far more than mere recordings. They were calls to action. Many of Marley's greatest and most recognizable hits came with the Wailers (including Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer), who grew up beside him in Trench Town, a Kingston ghetto that spawned many musical greats. Influenced by American music from the era, the band imbued their traditional Jamaican rhythms with the soul of Motown, creating a different take on black music. Carried by the Caribbean migration to England, the sounds of the islands were reaching new continents. A chance meeting with Island Records head Chris Blackwell in 1972 allowed Marley and the Wailers access to the same high-tech recording equipment that rock bands were using at the time. Their Third World sound crossed over into the developed world. Throughout the 1970s the musicians produced a slew of worldwide hits. Tracks such as "Exodus" and "One Love" made the charts in the U.S. as well as in the U.K. and other European countries. Ultimately, it was Marley's penchant for social justice that made him an identifiable superstar. Although he was half white (born to a father of English descent), Marley always identified himself as Pan-African, and during the mid-1970s he dedicated a string of songs to the Diaspora: "Buffalo Soldier" to African Americans, "Africa Unite" to those in Zimbabwe and "War" to his brothers suffering through South Africa's apartheid. He was not just outspoken politically; Marley was also not afraid to mix spirituality and song. For this strong believer in the Rastafarian movement and the divinity of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, religion was an integral part of his music and work ethic. The movement most recognizable to outsiders by its adherents' long dreadlocks, spiritual use of marijuana and belief in Africa (Zion) as the birthplace of mankind has been adopted in the African continent, the United States and even Japan. The influence of Marley's faith can be seen on tracks such as 1974's "Natty Dread" and "So Jah S'eh." Marley's involvement in Jamaica's politics almost got him killed. In 1976 violent clashes between supporters of Jamaica's two major political parties left hundreds dead, inspiring Marley to play the Smile Jamaica festival at the government's invitation in order to help quell the ongoing bloodshed. Unfortunately, some saw the festival as a support rally for the People's National Party leader, Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley, and his endorsement of political violence against dissent. As tensions in the country grew high, gunmen entered the Marley home, shooting Marley; his wife, Rita; and his manager, Don Taylor, in the middle of the night. They all survived, and despite his injuries, Marley performed at the festival two days later, saying, "The people who are trying to make this world worse aren't taking a day off. How can I?" After the concert, Marley and his band left Jamaica for more than a year, recording the international hit album Exodus while in the U.K. However, his commitment to his home country would see Marley return, organizing the One Love Peace concert in 1978. Another love of Marley's life was Rita, a musician in her own right who often sang backup for the Wailers and recorded several albums of her own. The couple met in the mid-1960s through Peter Tosh, fell in love and married shortly afterward. Throughout Marley's career, Rita was by his side, even through his repeated infidelities. She was his rock, especially in his later years as he battled health problems. In 1977 a routine toe injury during a soccer game in France refused to heal. Testing revealed he had melanoma, a type of skin cancer. In accordance with his Rastafarian beliefs, Marley refused to have the toe amputated, and the cancer began to spread throughout his body. Marley lived, recorded and performed for more than three years despite the severity of his disease. In 1980 he released his last album, Uprising, penning the iconic classic "Redemption Song," a track in which he confronted his mortality. His final concert took place at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh on Sept. 23, 1980. After unsuccessful cancer treatment in Europe, Marley died a few months later, in 1981, at a Miami hospital at the age of 36. But Marley lives on. The album Legend, released three years after his death, has gone platinum 10 times over and is still the greatest-selling reggae album of all time. Last year the Marley estate brought in more than $6 million, according to Forbes magazine. Marley's influence was not limited to reggae. Eric Clapton owes one of his most famous hits to Marley and the Wailers -- his version of "I Shot the Sheriff" reached No. 1 in the United States in 1974. And as hip-hop became a global force in worldwide music, Marley's legacy inspired the world's urban community. The Notorious B.I.G., Guru and the Fugees have reworked Marley classics over the years. And let's not forget Marley's living legacies. His talented children continue to record and perform worldwide. Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers -- which also featured brother Stephen as well as their sisters Sharon and Cedella -- were popular in the late 1980s and through much of the '90s. Stephen released a groundbreaking album in 2009 called Mind Control and continues to tour regularly. Last year youngest brother Damian Marley released his collaborative album, Distant Relatives, with rapper Nas, blending African rhythms, hip-hop and traditional reggae sounds. Three decades after Bob Marley's death, you can turn on any radio or walk down any street, and you will likely hear a Marley song or see someone wearing a Marley T-shirt. His image will continue to resonate for years to come; let's also hope his peace-loving ideals will be embraced during the next 30 years -- and 30 years after that.
“One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain†Poet, Prophet, Genius, Icon, Legend, Hero R.I.P. Bob Today (May 11th) marks the 30th year anniversary since the passing of international reggae legend Bob Marley. Raised in Trenchtown, Kingston; Nesta Robert Marley became famous as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of reggae band ‘Bob Marley and The Wailers’. Bob Marley has proved hugely influential in helping the Jamaican music scene advance to the mainstream airwaves. Regarded as the most successful reggae artist of all time, Marley is renowned for promoting this genre of music and the Rastafarian movement to a world wide audience. Inspired by both African and Jamaican culture, Bob Marley’s music is heavily themed with issues relating to oppression, politics, and unity. Some of his best known hits include ‘Redemption Song’, ‘I Shot the Sheriff’, ‘No Woman No Cry‘, ‘Is This Love’, ‘Could You Be Loved’, ‘Iron Man Zion’ and ‘Buffallo Soldier’. Between 1973 and the year of his death, Bob Marley released 11 albums with the group ‘Bob Marley and the Wailers’. The ‘Exodus‘ LP solidified the bands international stardom. Bob Marley wrote much of the material for this album while recuperating in England from an assassination attempt on his life. With international hits that include ‘Jamming’, ‘One Love/People Get Ready’, and ‘Three Little Birds‘; the album spent 56 weeks in the British charts, and was subsequently named as the best album of the 20th century by TIME magazine. A compilation album entitled ‘Legend’ was released in 1984, three years after the icons death. To date, it is the best selling reggae album of all time, boasting 25 million sales world wide. In 1980, Bob Marley and The Wailers performed for thousands in Dublin’s Dalymount Park. The band also played to for a crowd of 100,000 people in Rome amongst many other European shows. Their final tour attracted the largest audience at that time for any musical act in Europe. Following this, the band flew to the USA, however their American tour was cut short as Bob Marley’s health seriously deteriorated. In 1981, Bob Marley unfortunately passed away at the age of 36 after a four year battle with cancer. Marley’s music legacy is continued by his wife Rita, and several of his children such as Ziggy, Damian (Jr. Gong), Stephen, Ky-Mani and Julian who have all successfully embarked on musical careers. Many of Marley’s classic tracks have been remixed within the hip-hop genre, including a posthumous remix of ‘Hold Ya Head Up’ featuring late hiphop icon Notorious B.I.G, and the remake of ‘Turn the Lights Down Low’ by Lauryn Hill. Many commemoration nights and concerts are due to be held across the world to mark the occasion. In America this week, the popular ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’ show will honour the legacy of Bob Marley with a 5 night tribute special. According to BET, Marley’s eldest son Ziggy and other stars including Lauryn Hill, Lenny Kravitz and Jennifer Hudson will each perform one of the stars classic hits, backed by Jimmy’s in house hip-hop group The Roots. In Wembley this summer, The ‘One Love Peace Festival’ will also pay homage to the reggae superstar. In a bid to promote the reduction of gun and knife crime, the upcoming event was inspired by the historical ‘One Love Peace Concert’, head-lined by Bob Marley in Jamaica, 1979, to bring peace to warring factions in the Kingston area. On July 31st, Ky-Mani Marley will be joined by stars including Busta Rhymes, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Gyptian and Skepta to mark the 30th anniversary of his fathers passing. Speaking about the upcoming event, Ky-Mani said: “I feel blessed to be part of The One Love Peace Festival. It is with great pride that I will pay homage to my father, Bob Marley, with some of his best-loved songs. The festival’s message of peace is a noble cause that I hold very dear to my heart and one that my father would have applauded.†(One Love Peace Festival Website) Even 30 years later, the reggae icon continues to influence both music and culture through his timeless collection. An inspiration to many- the legend of Bob Marley certainly lives on…
no woman, no cry came on the mp3 player on the walk home today, appropriate timing. one of the best musicians of all time. r.i.p bob
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively" "love the life you live. live the life you love." "Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." — Bob Marley Some Man, great read that. Satisy My Soul Bob, REST IN PEACE
On May 11, 2011, The GRAMMY Museum will debut a new exhibit, Bob Marley, Messenger. Bringing together more than 40 diverse artifacts, rare photographs and more, the exhibit features items from the private collection of the Marley family. "Our dad was careful not to define himself. He may be a messenger of hope, but he did not call himself anything. He was just who he was, and often he worked only for others, so they would have food to eat, clothes to wear. Now we've come full circle, second and third generation. Daddy would be so proud today to see the seeds he planted -- "Row fisherman row, you're going to reap what you sow--" Of this he was certain, his riches, as he liked to say, were his children. All of us, in our way, have, hopefully, carried on our father's tradition of being a strong presence, a positive force. "I live in the world," he said, "but I am not of the world." In this way, he moved others to change things for the better. He also said, "All you have to do is give a little, take a little," He took less than some, gave back so much more than most . . . and, look, he's still giving, as this exhibit fully shows." --Cedella Marley
cheers for them man, great photos, good few more of the gig on the net, would of loved to be there Bob Marley was 'beyond' famous, says director By Kev Geoghegan Entertainment reporter, BBC News Marley died of cancer in 1981, aged 36 Scots director Kevin Macdonald says Bob Marley was "beyond" famous, as he prepares a documentary marking the 30th anniversary of the music icon's death. The Oscar-winning film-maker behind The Last King of Scotland says he is making the film, Marley, because of the star's "continued resonance around the world". "He's gone beyond being a famous musician, he's now a philosopher and prophet," he adds. The feature-length documentary is due out later this year. Macdonald has been given unprecedented access to the Marley family's private archives - the first time they have granted a film-maker full authorisation. Filming on the project, which was announced in February, has taken place in Ghana, Japan, the UK and the US, as well as Marley's native Jamaica. The singer, songwriter and activist died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36. "I think there's always been interest in Bob Marley. It's peaking at the moment because it's the 30th anniversary of his death this year," says Macdonald. "The reason I'm making this film is the fascination and Marley's continued resonance around the world." Marley is still revered in many countries around the world Macdonald, who won an Oscar for the 1999 documentary One Day in September, said the artist's ubiquitousness is one of the most interesting things about his musical legacy. "I think that's what is so intriguing is that he's almost become lift music in the UK and America, you hear him so much. It's hard to hear it fresh. "But recently in places like India or Tunisia, Marley is kind of the soundtrack to the revolution. He speaks to people politically in a way that is very important. "In the slums of Nairobi, there are murals of Marley and people quote the lyrics to you." The films executive producers include Island Record founder Chris Blackwell and Marley's son Ziggy. Brand Marley The musician's face continues to appear on bootleg products across the world, and in February last year, the Marley family signed a deal with a private equity form to secure merchandising rights to the brand. Since then, alongside hoodies and t-shirts, fans can purchase children's books and even Marley coffee on the singer's official website. Images of Marley appear on numerous products "It's easy to get on your high horse about that," says Macdonald. "But I think actually what is more interesting is that it has taken them 30 years. "It's certainly not the case with The Rolling Stones and The Beatles and Michael Jackson. "Elvis Presley's estate is making 30 million a year and they say that Marley shouldn't be, but he is from a much poorer part of the world and a lot more people need the money." "I think that what is important is what he says to people around the world. He manages to be a serious political figure to some, but he can also be an icon of rebellion."