When asked what is reggae music, a great man by the name of Robert Nesta Marley answered, "Reggae music is like news, the people’s music, history of the people for the people..." This is exactly what he preached, sang and died for. On February 6th 1945 a young 18 year old women by the name of Cedella Booker gave birth to a baby boy in northern Jamaica. His father, with the name of Norval Marley was a 5o year old British quartermaster whom Bob rarely saw. In the late 1950's Bob and his mother moved to a small town named Trechtown in Jamaica's capital of Kingston. His surrounding would later influence him to right a song by the name of "Concrete Jungle" due to the cement housed that where built after a hurricane hit Jamaica. There he found his first musical influences by listening to American artists like the amazing pianist Ray Charles, the smooth jazz sounds of Nat King Cole as well as Fats Domino's rock 'n' roll. Bob started off practicing his vocals with friends Neville O'Riley Livingston better known as Bunny Wailer and Peter McIntosh, the three would later form a group by the name is "The Wailing Wailers." Although Bob was highly influenced by the American rhythm and blues his true love was for the spunky back beat music of ska. Bob traveled to America to further peruse his career in music but soon found himself back in Jamaica with a new slower tempo called "rock steady." The true positive beat and rhythm of reggae music came together during Bob's homecoming after joining back up with band mates Bunny and Peter. They found themselves later in Britain where fame and fortune would come knocking at the rarely heard reggae music door. Here the three wrote there first album "Catch a Fire." Marley's hit "I shot the sheriff" got lots of American support when Eric Clapton covered the song to make it a number one single on the U.S charts. By 1975 Bunny and peter left the group but where replaced by the beautiful smooth vocals of the "I-three", three female backup vocalists which included Bob's wife Rita. In 1976 Bob played a free concert in Kingston, Jamaica to help preach peace and unity between the people but lead to a horrible shooting in Marleys home. Mentally and physically wounded Bob left Jamaica and went to London where he wrote another hit album titled "Exodus”. In 1978 Bob returned to Jamaica to play the "One love peace concert" in front of Prime Minister Michael Manley and the Leader of the Opposition Edward Seaga. Together they all three stood on stage with hands held up high for peace. He was then invited to the United Nations in New York to receive the organization’s Medal of Peace. Marley played shows which gathered crowds of 100,000 people in hope of spreading love and prosperity through his musical talent with his amazing guitar and vocal talents. His songs which told stories of struggle and survival like "So much trouble in the world" and "War" as well as love and redemption like "Africa unite" and "Sun is shining." Bob passed away in 1981 at the age of 36 years old after battling with cancer in his foot. Bob Marley's positive vibration still lives on and influences reggae music in the songs of many reggae artists today.
13 comments:
I think that it is a great thing that Bob was awarded the The Order of Merit is part of the Jamaican honours system. It is the third highest honour of the nation of Jamaica. The Order of Merit is given to Jamaicans and citizen of another country who has achieved eminent international distinction in the field of science, arts, literature.
One of my favorite stories from Marley's life is the shooting that occurred prior to the Smile Jamaica concert. Despite the danger that faced him and his family, Marley went on to perform that concert two days after sustaining injuries in an effort to unify warring political parties in Jamaica at the time.
i think it was pretty cool how bob marley was more that just a musician. He was a peacemaker who brought many oppositions together under one sign...love. He brought the prime minister and the opposition leader together for the one love concert. He created tranquility and bliss in the region. His music soothed the soul and gave people hope.
Derek F.
What more can you say about the great Bob Marley. He is a total visionary and idol to many musicians. Reggae would no be the same today if it was not for Bob Marley. You captured one of the worlds greatest musicians in a god-like state. I think that we can all agree that Bob Marley's music had some on the most powerful messages, peace and love. He is and will remain a symbol of his message throughout history.
-Conor McManus
bob marley is one of the greatest musicians to date not only for his great music but also the message that he spread. i think he is well deserved of the medal of peace and is great that he achieved this award. I wish that more people would spread this message of love and peace instead of war and hatred. The world would be such a better place.
Chrysta
Bob Marley is an excellent choice for the assignment. I feel that Marley is quite original with his reggae tone, which is why his music is well renowned. The sound of his music always makes me think of a little r & r, and brings upon good spirits. In addition to Marley’s reggae tone, there was a purpose to spread the feeling of tranquillity to people everywhere. As mentioned within the blog, Marley wanted to spread peace and unity. Marley’s peak in his career was around the early 1970’s, which makes sense as to why his main goal was to spread peace through his music. America was at a standpoint with the hippies continuing from the 60’s and the Vietnam War; the idea of peace was in everyone’s hearts. Marley was not only an excellent musician, but also especially one to represent this time in the world.
Bob Marley is a musician unlike any other. His music is full of such peace and tranquility which can really calm all emotions down. I think that his message of love and peace could really be used this day and age with all the war and violence that is happening all over the world. Just to slow down and take a look at how beautiful the world is would do wonders for our society.
Wow I didn't know Marley wrote "I shot the Sheriff." I thought he just covered it! Anyway, the cancer in his foot was Melanoma, which killed the epitome of reggae artists. Luckily his son has taken over and is spreading Marley's ideals of peace and love.
-Michael Liu
Bob Marely's use of true to life events to fuel his musical genious is masterfully presented to a vast audience with the use smooth jamaican rhythms influenced by many other genres. This presentation did a good job of relaying this message and does well to remind one of Bob's many other acomplishments such as playing the "one love peace" concert for the prime minister.
I like this presentation of Bob Marley's life, it shows he was devoted to spreading positive ideals with his lyrics. He was very sensitive to the struggle of his fellow man and the theme of peace he promotes at concerts and in his lyrics, along with his popularity make him a truly notable historic figure. I learned of his influences from American artists of the time. Bob Marley's upbeat reggae music is catchy and appealing and it cheers me up makes me want to dance.
Awesome blog, love bob marley. You have great information and present it in an interesting way.
Post a Comment