Musical Legend Bob Marley’s February Birthday Reggae Month
One of the great singers of his time, Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican-based musician, singer, songwriter, and he was also recognized as one of the pioneers of reggae. Bob Marley’s music success was marked by a fusion of several elements of ska, reggae, and rocksteady, as well as his unique voice and songwriting style.
On 6 February, Bob Marley’s birthday is celebrated all over the world to remember his unparalleled artistry and its sway on the music world.
He positively impacted the world and brought a change in society with his empowering lyrics and beats that are undying. Every year, Bob Marley’s Birthday is celebrated over the course of the week of his birth date February 6, 1945, in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, with events taking place in and around the Bob Marley museum in Kingston, Jamaica.
“I’m on God’s side”
He was born to Norval Sinclair Marley, a British naval captain and around 60 years old, and his mother, Cedella, was a black 19-year old simple villager woman. His racial inequality caused a few troubles for him. He was bullied by his neighbors and was given the title of “White Boy, ” of course in a derogatory context.
His childhood experience was quite traumatic, which later in his several interviews he accepted and said the experience assisted him to develop a philosophy: “I am not on the white man’s side, or the black man’s side. I’m on God’s side.” His career entered into a new realm of success when he with his friends Bunny Livingstone, Peter Tosh, founded a group known as ‘The Wailers.’ Bob Marley married Rita Marley in 1966, and it was his wife; who introduced him to the concept of Rastafarianism. After accepting Rastafarianism, his music style was heavily affected positively, especially on the reggae front.
During the 60s, The Wailers went out to produce some of the best tracks, and they soared to popularity in Jamaica, and in 1972 they signed a contract with ‘Label Island Records.’ The band became a huge success with the release of their album ‘Catch Fire’ in 1973 and ‘Burnin’ which featured the song ‘Get Up, ‘ ‘I Shot The Sheriff, ‘ and ‘Stand up.’ In 1974, The Wailers got disbanded, and each one decided to pursue solo careers.
Bob Marley continued his solo career but also got involved in advocating the cultural and social change in Jamaica. In 1976, when he was performing a peace concert, an assassination attempt was made on his life, but he survived, and after a few days, he showed up for his next gig.
In 1977, he was diagnosed with cancer caused by a wound on his toe. When Bob Marey consulted a doctor, he suggested the removal of his toe, which Bob didn’t agree to as it was not allowed in Rastafarian beliefs. At that time, Bob was at the peak of his career, and it gained massive success for him; Marley was nominated to be a part of the independence ceremony of Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately, cancer didn’t spare his life as it spread to the other vital organs of his body. On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley passed away at the age of 36, but his philosophy and music live on, with Marely himself praised as a cultural icon around the world.
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