Bob Marley

Singer / Songwriter

Date Of Birth:

6 February 1945

Date Of Death:

11 May 1981

cancer

Place Of Birth:

St. Ann's Parish, Jamaica

Best Known As:

The reggae hero who did "Get Up, Stand Up"

Bob Marley was the world's first reggae superstar. He was part of the Jamaican group The Wailers, along with reggae greats Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh. In the late 1960s and early '70s Marley, a Rastafarian, gained early attention for writing hits recorded by others, including "Stir It Up" (recorded by Johnny Nash) and "I Shot The Sheriff" (a hit for Eric Clapton). But then he came into his own international fame with songs that spoke of politics, religion and life on the streets, including his anthemic "Get Up, Stand Up." Marley was a global superstar when he died of cancer at the young age of 36. A greatest hits compilation titled Legend was released in 1984; it sold millions and earned a reputation as the one reggae album owned by people who own just one reggae album.

Extra Credit

Bob Marley’s wife, Rita, and his son, Ziggy, have recording careers of their own… Bob Marley died after a melanoma (or skin cancer) from his toe spread to his brain and lungs. The melanoma was discovered in 1977 after Marley injured the toe during a soccer game; he reportedly refused to have the toe amputated as recommended by doctors, and over the next four years the cancer spread until it ended his life.