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Bob Marley
b Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May British rock, enjoyed widespread commercial and
1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter and
critical success.
musician. Considered one of the pioneers of In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with acral
reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing
u elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as lentiginous melanoma; he died as a result of the
illness in 1981. His fans around the world
his distinctive vocal and songwriting style.
Marley’s contributions to music increased the expressed their grief, and he received a state
f visibility of Jamaican music worldwide, and made funeral in Jamaica. The greatest hits album
Legend was released in 1984, and became the
him a global figure in popular culture for over a
decade. Over the course of his career Marley best-selling reggae album of all time. Marley also
f became known as a Rastafari icon, and he ranks as one of the best-selling music artists of
infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He
all time, with estimated sales of more than 75
is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican
culture and identity, and was controversial in his million records worldwide. He was posthumously
honored by Jamaica soon after his death with a
a outspoken support for the legalization of designated Order of Merit by his nation. In 1994,
marijuana, while he also advocated for
he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Pan-Africanism. Fame. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 11 on its list
l Born in Nine Mile, British Jamaica, Marley of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
began his professional musical career in 1963,
after forming Bob Marley and the Wailers. The A statue was inaugurated, next to the national
stadium on Arthur Wint Drive in Kingston to
o group released its debut studio album The commemorate him. In 2006, the New York City
Wailing Wailers in 1965, which contained the
Department of Education co-named a portion
single “One Love/People Get Ready”; the song of Church Avenue from Remsen Avenue to East
was popular worldwide, and established the group 98th Street in the East Flatbush section of
as a rising figure in reggae. The Wailers Brooklyn as “Bob Marley Boulevard”. In 2008,
subsequently released eleven further studio a statue of Marley was inaugurated in Banatski
Sokolac, Serbia.
albums; while initially employing louder
s instrumentation and singing, the group began Internationally, Marley’s message also continues
engaging in rhythmic-based song construction in
the late 1960s and early 1970s, which to reverberate among various indigenous
o coincided with the singer’s conversion to communities. For instance, the Australian
Aboriginal people continue to burn a sacred
Rastafarianism. During this period Marley
flame to honour his memory in Sydney’s
relocated to London, and the group typified their
l musical shift with the release of the album The Victoria Park, while members of the Native
Best of The Wailers (1971).
American Hopi and Havasupai tribes revere his
work. There are also many tributes to Bob Marley
The group attained international success throughout India, including restaurants, hotels,
d after the release of the albums Catch a Fire and and cultural festivals.
Burnin’ (both 1973), and forged a reputation as
touring artists. Following the disbandment of the
i Wailers a year later, Marley went on to release his
solo material under the band’s name. His debut
studio album Natty Dread (1974) received
positive reception, as did its follow-up Rastaman
e Vibration (1976). A few months after the album’s
release Marley survived an assassination attempt
at his home in Jamaica, which prompted him to
permanently relocate to London. During his time
r in London he recorded the album Exodus (1977);
it incorporated elements of blues, soul, and
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