Remembering Bob Marley On What Would've Been His 77th Birthday
Bob Marley’s legacy is one that spans over a near century. On what would’ve been his 77th birthday (Feb. 6), we remember the historical Reggae music artist.
At the age of 36, the Nine Mile, Jamaican-bred singer abruptly lost his life to skin cancer. His unfortunate demise was over 40 years ago. Despite his physical absence, his legacy is carried by ageless music and the talent of his blood stream.
Marley recorded his first song in 1962 and after being discovered by a local music producer, he and his friends renamed themselves as The Wailers.
Together, they recorded popular tunes such as “No Woman No Cry,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Three Little Birds” and “One Love/People Get Ready.”
“Don’t worry, about a thing, cause everything little thing is gonna be alright,” Marley sang on “Three Little Birds,” lyrics that stand the test of time, despite the current hardships of the world.
Marley is survived by a total of 11 children, with two being adopted into the family from his marriage with Rita Marley. A handful of his children have been able to successfully showcase their talents. Ziggy Marley, 53, is the frontman for the band, Melody Makers, along with his brother Stephen Marley (49) and sisters Sharon (57) and Cedella Marley (54).
The success doesn’t stop there. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is a dancehall rapper and vocalist, most notable for his hit “Welcome To Jamrock.” Marley’s other children have flirted with the world of music, as well.
The late Rastafarian’s legacy continues to thrive. If he were alive today, Cedella believes her father would be a Ganja farmer. In Rastafarian terms, “ganja” originated from the Sanskrit language, which means marijuana.
Happy 77th birthday to the legendary, unforgettable, Bob Marley!
