Fond Farewell

Bob Marley

April 6, 1941  - - -  May 11, 1981

Marley's songs of determination, rebellion and faith found an audience all over the world but in Jamaica he was regarded as a national hero. Marley was born on April 6,1941 in Jamacia. He left his rural home for the slums of Kingston at age 14. When he was 17 Jimmy Cliff introduced him to a producer who released his first single "Judge Not". In 1963 Marley formed the Wailers with Peter Tosh. their first single "Simmer Down" was the biggest Jamacian hit of 1964. Over the next couple of years they had hits with "Love and Affection" and "Rude boy", but they were receiving few or no royalties so they disbanded in 1966.

For the next three years Marley worked in a factory in Delawere where his mother had moved. Upon his return to Jamacia the Wailers reunited and became devoted to the religous sect of Rasterfari.Over the next few years the band recorded music which was popular in Jamacia but they couldn't bridge the gap to the US. In 1972 the Wailors finally got a major record deal with Island records in England. Their recognition was abetted by Eric Clapton's hit version of " I Shot the Sheriff" a song from their second LP with Island Records. In 1973 Peter Tosh would leave the band and they expanded the band to include a female vocal trio and became Bob Marley and the Wailors. They began to build a strong following in the UK, Scandanavia and Africa. Over the next five years they would have UK Top Forty Hits with "No woman No Cry", "Exodus", "Waiting in Vain" and "Satisfy My Soul".

During this period Marley's popularity and influence grew tremendously in Jamacia and his pronouncements on public issues were given the attention that was only reserved for political and religous leaders. In 1976 he was wounded in an asassination attemp. In 1980 a tour of the US was canceled when Marley collapsed onstage. It was discovered that he had developed brain and lung cancer which killed him seven months later on May 11,1981 in Miami.

  

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