One Love (A Look Into The Life Of Bob Marley) Essay, Research Paper

One Love

Bob Marley is a name most people know but his accomplishments and dedication to music is often overlooked. Bob was more than just a reggae artist he was an inspiration to country of Jamaica. He was role model to the poverty stricken island and gave hope to many people. He was a god. His influence spread around the world. His dreams are still alive and will live on in the hearts of his people.

Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in his grandfather’s house. He was the son of a poor farm girl and a British naval Captain who fell in love. Soon after his birth Bob’s father, Norval Marley left his mother leaving her a son to raise. He remained responsible and provided financial support and occasionally came back to see them. In the 50’s a depression hit Jamaica and Bob followed his mother to West Kingston otherwise known as Trenchtown. It was in Trenchtown were Bob’s love for music began. He and his friend Neville Livingstone or “Bunny” began to attend music classes. Through the classes the two meet Peter McIntosh and they formed the Wailing Wailers. The band recorded their first song in 1962, Judge Not. From there he started a record label Tuff Gong and recorded over 20 albums.

Bob had a huge influence on society through his music. He encouraged people to rise up against the unfair government officials in songs such a Crazy Baldheads and Get up Stand up. A baldhead is a term for anyone not a Rastafarian, the religion he followed. He also fought racism with songs such as War and Slave Driver. Bob made his people of Jamaicans and Africans proud of themselves and inspired them to keep on moving.

Bob Marley arose from the ghetto and spread his love for music around the world. Reggae unknown by the world became an accepted genre with his help. He made people think and made them dance. He became known as one of the best songwriters of all time with true lyrics from the heart. Bob made Jamaica known and always was loyal to people and gave his thanks through charity. Every day around 10 o’ clock in the morning Marley would sit on his porch at 56 Hope Road and meet with people who would wait in a line for his charity. On June 15, 1978 he was awarded the World Peace Award by the United Nations this is regarded his greatest accomplishment.

Bob made his mark in the music in the music industry though hard work and devotion, but he loved every moment of it. He inspired many musicians such as Eric Clapton who redid “I shot the Sheriff” in praise of him. He changed the music industry creating a worldwide market for reggae and ska music. In addition, Marley helped many musicians get there start.

Bob was known as to be shy, strong, charitable, talented, and arrogant. He was arrogant in the way that he stayed true to his beliefs of Rastafari. In 1978 Bob got a small gash on his toe playing soccer. After months of festering it became infected and then later cancerous. In 1980 doctors gave Bob a choice, amputate his toe, or let the cancer spread through his body. Staying true to his religion he replied, “no knife shall touch me flesh, Rastaman cayn’t die!” In Rastafarianism self-mutilation is a sin and he stayed true to Jah, the Rastafarian God till the day he died. On May 11, 1981 Robert Nesta Marley died in a Miami hospital, after fighting the disease for almost a year. A month before he received the Order of Merit, one of Jamaica’s highest honors. On May 21, the people of Jamaica gave Bob an official funeral. He was put to rest at Nine Mile the place of his birth. Bob Marley was 36.

Bob once said, “ya cayn’t kill God.” You also cannot kill his legacy and his legend. He will always be remembered and will always remain an inspiration to all.