The Biography Of Bob MarleyBy: Sean Dolan Essay, Research Paper

Robert Nesta Marley was born in Rhoden Hall, Saint Ann, Jamaica in 1945. He started as a man just learning a welding trade taught to him in Kinston, Jamaica . While there Marley started a group in 1961 called the Rudeboys (later known as the Wailers). The Wailers included vocalists Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh. The Wailers use a style of music called ska, which was a hybrid of Rhythm and Blues and Jamaican Mento. He was a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and the most recognized reggae artists in the world today. In 1967 he converted from Christianity from Rastafarianisn. Rastafarianism is a religion that believed that the spiritual effect of marijuana, it also endorsed the idea of black superiority, and it also recognized Haile Salassie I (the king of Ethiopia) as a living god. After his conversion his religion became a big part of his music too. In nearly every song he sang of his new religion praising Salassie I. His music now contain a certain spiritualism and mysticism that was unique. Marley and the Wailers recorded Catch a Fire (1972), Burin? (1973), Natty Dread (1975), and Live (1975), and a couple other albums. During this time, there was a lot of turmoil in Jamaica both politically and economically and Marley cultivated a rebel image. In 1976 while a marijuana dealer was at his place at approximately noon, three guys came in a started firing everywhere. He took three bullets but survived the assassination attempt. After this he recorded Rastaman Vibrations (1976), Exodus (1977) and Babylon by the Bus (1978), Kaya (1978), Uprising (1980) and reissues of earlier work. In 1981, Marley died from cancer, but his work will be remembered forever.

In my opinion, Bob Marley was a great musician who provided inspiration during a time of chaos in Jamaica. The lyrics he sung flowed through people as he sung it. Many people found him to be a just another druggy that sung but when he sung there was a certain spirit that is just undescribeable but now lives in his music. I personally consider him a hero for becoming an inspiration to an entire country.