Remembering Bob Marley

Robert Nesta Marley was born February 6, 1945 in Jamaica with a silver spliff in his mouth. Little Bobby lived in Trenchtown with his siblings, and half-siblings: Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Toots, Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar.

Shaman, Rasta Man, Poet, Revolutionary: Bob Marley invented Ganja and Reggae and changed the world. Without Marley, Sublime and Jack Johnson would be playing Folk music. Every time you are on the beach drinking a Corona and listening to Reggae, you should thank Bob Marley.

No Woman, No Cry

In 1975, Marley had his first International break through hit with ‘No Woman, No Cry’. The hits kept coming and coming after that. Everyone covered his music. I still say …”I Shot the Sheriff but I did not kill the deputy” is the worst defense for a crime ever.

Bob Marley Illustration By Paul King Art

In 1976, there was an attempted assassination of Bob Marley. He and his wife were shot, but recovered. Marley performed 2 days later at a political rally. When asked why, Marley responded, “The sonsofbitches who are trying to make this world worse aren’t taking a day off. How can I?”

Man Of Steel

Marley’s last concert occurred at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, PA on 23 September 1980. Just two days earlier he had collapsed during a jogging tour in Central Park and was brought to the hospital where he learned that his cancer had spread to his brain. Man he is tough. Take note of this when you wussies are cancelling shows for sore throats and ‘exhaustion’.

Marley died on 11 May 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami at the age of 36. He is a legend and is missed everyday. His influence can not be over stated. Bob changed the world.