Ruth Leon recommends: Bob Marley at 80

He didn’t live to be 80 or anything like it. Bob Marley died, aged only 36 , but his musical influence didn’t die with him. He was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist born eighty years ago on 6th February 1945. His music was, and still is, loved worldwide and his popularity gave him a wide audience for his views as an outspoken supporter of democratic social reforms.

Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, he fused elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady and was renowned for his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley increased the visibility of Jamaican music worldwide and became a global figure in popular culture.

Born Catholic, he converted early to the Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. He became an ardent proponent of Rastafari, taking its music out of the socially deprived areas of Kingston, Jamaica and onto the international music scene. He recorded 13 studio albums and numerous live performances.

Shortly before his death he became a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, baptised by the Archbishop Abuna Yesehaq in the presence of his wife Rita Marley (Alfarita Constantia Anderson) and their eleven children. Three of the children were born to Rita, and two additional children from Rita’s previous relationships were adopted as his own, six more were born to six different women and acknowledged by Marley, and all eleven bear the Marley name.

There is surprisingly little video of Bob Marley but here’s a song to give you a taste of what his live performances were like. This one, No woman No Cry, was filmed Live At The Rainbow on 4th June 1977.

First published at Slipped Disc, February 6, 2025

Read more at Ruth Leon’s website, here.