Robert Nesta Marley born on February 6, 19455 in Jamaica is a singer-songwriter who came into the limelight with reggae albums. He started out in 1963 with the Wailers and his distinctive vocal style woke up fans worldwide. The Wailers disbanded in 1975 and Marley began a solo career that eventually released Exodus in 1977. He is a committed Rastafarian who uses music to wield his spirituality. Marley released Judge Not, One Cup of Coffee, Do you Still Love Me? and Terror in 1962. 1966 saw Marley marrying Rita Anderson and living in Wilmington Delaware. He returned to Jamaica, became a Rastafarian and grew dreadlocks. The Rastafarian is against cutting hair.
Marley and the Wailers released the first album Catch a Fire in 1973 and the record was packaged with a unique Zippo lighter on the top. He received positive critical acclaim and Marley followed up with Burnin' which included I Shot the Sheriff. In 1975 Marley released Woman, No Cry from his Natty Dread album. He then released Rastaman Vibration in 1976 which read the Soul Charts.
Marley relocated to England and recorded Exodus and Kaya. He returned to Jamaica to perform at a political concert to calm warring parties. Bob Marley and the Wailers released eleven albums and four were live albums. These live albums captured the intensity of Marley's live performances. In 1979 Marley released Survival a politically charged album. His songs Zimbabwe, Africa United and Wake up and Live reflect Marley's support for Africans. He played at the Amandala Fetival in Boston in 1979 which proved his conviction against apartheid. His album Uprising in 1980 was his final studio album and is very religious. It includes Redemption Song and Forever Loving Jah.
Marley's doctors discovered a malignant tumor under a nail bed, but he refused to have his toe amputated. This was in 1977. In 1980 Bob Marley's last concert was at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cancer had spread throughout his body and he attempted to rid himself of cancer by using a controversial treatment. He left for Jamaica, but landed in Miami and was taken to the hospital for medical intervention. He died on May 11, 1981 in Miami at 36. He left his wife Rita, two adopted children, and three children with Rita. He had at least 11 children.
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