The Legendary Bob

The Mentioning of reggae, automatically brings to mind the name Bob Marley. The Legacy of Bob Marley is seen throughout our culture, in symbolism, and in music. We see the flags, T-shirts, and posters of him that symbolize freedom and anti-establishment. He has indefinitely revolutionized the reggae world, and has also affected many other types of musicians. Marley portrayed the Rastafarian religion for the world to see. He spread the feeling of love through his actions and music to many who had never had it. Bob Marley has to be one of the most influential artists of our time, and has shown it in many ways.
Bob Marley had to work hard to make it in a business that pushed radical people like him away. Marley’s first influence was Joe Higgs, which was a local reggae artist. Marley idolized his song’s lyrics. He could identify with the songwriting of Higgs to keep off the street and stay away from trouble. This was the first time that Marley heard of the Rastafarian religion. The first of Marley’s songs mimicked Higgs as he was first teamed with Peter Tosh and Bunny Walker. The legendary Jimmy Cliff, who was easily one of the largest icons in reggae at that time, also influenced much of Marley’s music. Marley was very interested in the style of Cliff, for he had never seen someone so animated in a concert.
Marley’s mom left him shortly after he turned 18, to starve or survive. Marley had a few rough years sleeping on floors, and eating scraps people would leave for him, and just trying to making ends meet. He persisted in his music career getting local airplay with his newly formed group “The Rudeboys.” Their name was later changed to the “The Wailers.” The three often argued, but the music they made was amazing. Eventually their differences would get to them and they finally broke up for solo careers in the early 70’s.
Bob Marley had a strong influence in the Rastafarian religion. He converted from Christianity to Rastafarianism in 1967. The first thing that he did was he grew some dreads, which showed how old you were and that you had taken the oath of Nazarite. Marley changed everything in Jamaica for the Rastafarian religion. The Rastas in Jamaica had been looked at as tramps, dousers, and not even allowed in certain parts of Kingston. He changed that quickly, and showed Jamaica what they stood for, and the righteousness of their beliefs. He frequently smoked marijuana, which was considered a sacrament and part of the meditation process. The Marijuana helped him think, and he’d often sit and speak with other Rastas about social and political issues. Many were not aware that he knew a great deal about global politics and the effects they played on the people. He wrote music expressing the beliefs of the Rastafari religion. Much of his songs aimed at a person’s soul and were about bringing peace, love, and the way things could be. In early recording he also spoke of the harms of substances like meat, nicotine, alcohol, and many other common things such as salt.
Bob was pulled into politics during the general election in 1976, but kept his message to the people strong. Marley identified himself with the Jamaican Labor Party. This party was definately the more liberal of the two. Marley was asked to play for at a benefit for Seeco Miller, who one of the candidates. Immediately, Marley was sent death threats, and received phone calls warning him not to play. In fact, nothing would stop him from performing, for he was devoted to his fans. A few days after the show, a gunman broke into Marley’s estate in Jamaica, and shot all five adults in the house including Marley. Marley didn’t believe in taking the bullet out of his arm, for it was against his religion.
Four days after being released from the hospital, Marley performed at the Smile Jamaica Festival. His everlasting want for the fans to hear his message was proven at this festival. He played with a bullet in his arm to a packed house with thousands outside. A riot almost occurred when some of the people weren’t let in. Bob then felt bad for the people that didn’t get in and refused to let a riot occur, and decided to play the next day for anyone who didn’t get to see him for free. Sure enough the next day, he played, and Marian Shaw said “It was the most inspirational musical moment in the twentieth century”.
Unlike mere pop stars, Bob was a moral and religious leader, who sold billions of records internationally. Is there anyone who can compare to his legend? Many popular musicians have come and gone, without expressing a message of their strongest goals in love, life, and liberation. Not so with Marley, he knew that he was the carrier of the Rastafarian religion and was conscious of the happenings in the outside world. “There will come a day when music and its philosophy will become the religion of humanity….if their remains magic in music.” Says Bob Marley in 1973. Unlike most music that we hear, Marley’s melodies had a distinct reason for bMarley 3eing written. His art was transforming one, and made many people transform in a positive way. “The only truth is Rastafari” Bob Marley says after meeting with some predominant leaders in the Rastafarian religion. He changed his style four times just so the Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Blues just to get the people that listened to those types of music to hear his message. He did it without ever abandoning the reggae touch though. He had a good social understanding of what people truly believed. Taking a look back at Elvis, The Beatles, and others like them, how many songs did they write that had a deep meaning and have lyrics that aren’t pop clichés. Marley’s message is simple to understand; the struggle for salvation, love, and suffering.
Many of Marley’s melodies have so much power that there can’t be only one favorite. Each song has a universal message that makes you take a look into your soul. “No Woman No Cry”, will always bring a weeping widow to her knees. “Exodus”, will continue to rejuvenate the warrior’s soul. “One Love” may one day unite the Middle East with the U.S. “Three Little Birds” can quiet a crack heads mind from worrying. “Small Axe”, will keep any Jamaican aware of the third world oppressor coming for them. “Redemption Song”, will strengthen the soul of anybody facing struggles, mental or physical. “Waiting in Vain” will make any man wait for his loved one. How many artists have this many quality songs that are still recognized regularly? There are no other artists that have been dead for twenty years and still have so many popular songs.
Marley was easily one of the most inspirational people in Jamaica’s history. Besides spreading the word of Rastafari and peace to a poverty and war struck nation, Marley brought hope to the ghettos of Jamaica. He was considered as a prophet, who stood up for the way things should be, and addressed many tough issues that many tried to avoid. “Lyrically, musically Bob was an expert, spiritually you should have seen him in a concert.” Said Macka B in one of his songs. Many believe that just being in his presence was a blessing even if it was from afar in a large concert.
He used to go into stores in the ghettos of Jamaica and would buy clothes, shoes, and food for the poor that lived in the area. Marley showed the true spirit of giving through his wealth and popularity. He felt that if he couldn’t help someone himself they wouldn’t be helped. He would go out on the streets and give everything that he bought to whoever was near. He also donated most of his money made from record sales to the depraved of Jamaica.
The legacy of Bob Marley has gained strength since his death from cancer on May 11th, 1981. All around us his legacy is evident. His records are still steadily selling millions all over the world, and almost all the money that is made is going to charities helping out the poor. There are posters and flags of him that symbolize rebellion and freedom. Many artists have made tribute albums and also many have performed concerts in his memory. He even has his own rolling papers to pay tribute to the Rastafarian religion. Only time will tell us how his place in history will affect the future generations.