Eulogy On Bob Marley Essay, Research Paper

Hello everyone I am here today to pay tribute to a great singer, political figure and person, Bob Marley. I would like to thank everyone here for giving me the opportunity to speak about such a wonderful person. In the words of Bob himself; Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you re riding through the ruts, don t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, Mischief and jealousy. Don t burry your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake up and live! Robert Nesta Marley was born in a rural parish of St. Ann in northern Jamaica at 2:30 in the morning of February 6th 1945. At the age of three Bob was reported to have physic powers. He read the hands of several of the people in the area revealing surprisingly intimate knowledge of their lives. At just the age of 16 years old Marley cuts his first recording deal for Leslie Kong s Beverly s label. With the single featuring his self-composed tracks Judge Not and Do You Still Love Me . In 1963 the Wailers witch included Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Junior Braithwaite, came together and start releasing a steady stream of records every month. Marley s Unrelenting urge for perfection drove one of the members to quit the Wailers but this quality played a vital role in Bob s journey to self-liberation. Marley gained the name Tuff Gong, a name with roots placed in Rastafarian philosophy that connotes special abilities and mission in like . This fits him perfectly, not only for his exceptional musical ability, but his eagerness to help everyone around him. He always wanted to help and give. He showed this in his generous way of sharing his beliefs, words and wealth. As a part of Bob Marley s religious responsibility of Rastafarianism it was not only a way of life for him, but it was a route to black redemption in a cruel white controlled society. His songs were not just for people to listen to, the lyrics had a meaning of peace, freedom, it showed his love and expressed the horrors of the world around him. In the summer of 1969 Marley and his wife Rita, visited his mother in Delaware where he prophesized to a couple of his friends that he would die at the age of 36. Two days before one of his concerts there was an attempt on his life, a bullet grazed Marley in the chest and hit his arm, while his manager Don Taylor received most of the shots in his upper body. While playing soccer he suffered a toe injury and refused to have it looked because of his intense Rastafarian beliefs. Finally after agreeing to see a doctor because of the infection that had formed in his foot, the doctor found melanoma cancer cells in his foot. He then made three powerful speeches about recognizing Rasta as God Almighty, Legalizing ganja and uniting humanity for a common purpose. Those three speeches were recognized as some of the strongest of his life. At one of his concerts he called Prime minister Manley and his political enemy Edward Seaga onstage and made them shake hands. For his actions that night and his extemporary devotion to world unity and the struggle against oppression, Bob receives the United Nations Peace Medal. One day while jogging in central park Marley Collapses, the doctors tell him the Melanoma cancer has spread to his lungs and brain and that he has only weeks to live. Despite his condition he plays his final concert in Pittsburgh. After doctors give up on the treatment of Bob. He turns to an ex S.S. Nazi doctor who kept Marley alive for several more months. In anticipation of his death he flies to Miami to be with his mother. He died on the morning of May 11th 1981. Bringing accurateness to his prophecy of only living to the age of 36. Bob Marley was a great person, musician and political figure he deserves every respect that we can pay him and his enormous accomplishments.