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Robert Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1947 in Nine Miles, Jamaica to Cedella Malcolm, and Norval Marley. Norval, a General in the British Army, abandoned Bob and Cedella shortly after they were wed, and had no contact with them for five years.
When Bob was five years old, Cedella decided they would move to Kingston where she thought they would have a greater chance of improving their lives. In Kingston they lived with Bob’s best friend, Bunny Livingston (Wailer) and his family. Bob and Bunny escaped from the violent world of Kingston with music and spent most of their time writing songs and practicing them. At the age of sixteen, Bob wanted to record music. Like other young Jamacian kids, he saw music as an escape from the tough reality of life.
In 1963, Bob fulfilled his life-long dream, and released his first single, "Judge Not". He and Bunny soon joined forces with Peter Tosh and the group The Wailers was born. Through talent shows, gigs at small clubs, and recordings, the Wailers became one of the most popular groups in Jamaica.
Early Wailers songs were based on the popular dance music style of "ska". Over time, the Wailers slowed down the beat, preferring the slower, bass-heavy sound of reggae.
In 1965 Bob established his own recording company, Tuff Gong, which is now the home of The Bob Marley Museum.
Bob Marley married Rita Anderson on the 10th of February 1966, and the following year their first child, was born.
1971 was a big year for Bob Marley and the Wailers. For the first time in history, a major record label, Island Records signed up a record deal with a reggae band. Suddenly the Wailers had access to the best recording facilities. Before The Wailers signed to Island, it was considered that reggae sold only on singles and cheap compilation albums.
Bob became more recognised as an individual artist when, in 1973, he formed a new look 'Bob Marley and The Wailers' which included Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt. With this new energy Bob took reggae to an international level having a succession of record-breaking albums and tours.In 1976, reggae-mania boomed in the States, and Bob Marley and The Wailers were named Rolling Stone Magazine 'Band of the Year)
In April 1978 Bob Marley performed in Jamacia on the One Love Peace Concert in front of the Prime Minister, and Leader of the Opposition. Bob arranged a meeting on stage between the two rivals. Later that year Bob got the Peace Medal of the Third World from the United Nations.
On May 11, 1981 Robert Nesta Marley died at the age of 36. Bob MArley's Funeral in Jamaica on 21 May 1981 could be compared with one of a king. Hundreds of thousands of people, including the Prime Minister, were present. After the funeral Bob Marley's body was taken to his birthplace were it rests in a mausoleum.
Later that year the Government of Jamaica awarded him the Order of Merit, and in 1991 proclaimed his birthday be observed as Bob Marley Day.
Bob Marley was inducted in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and remains today, the greatest legend of Reggae music.
