Biographie de Bob Marley (document en anglais)

Bob Marley

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. Starting out in 1963 with the group the Wailers, he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide. After the Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career which culminated in the release of the album Exodus which established his worldwide reputation and produced his status as one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million records. He was a committed Rastafarian who infused his music with a sense of spirituality.

I. / Early life and The Wailers

Robert Nesta Marley was born February 6, 1945 in Nine Miles. Son of a white captain and a black Jamaican peasant, he discovered the difficulty of being mixed race, caught between two worlds that ignore. Teenager, he left the country to Kingston, as many Jamaicans that misery grows into cities. Yet the work is scarce and Bob lives in Trenchtown. There, he meets Bunny Livingston and Peter Mackintosh, as he passionate about music. Bob Marley recorded his first song, “Judge Not”, at 16, in 1961. In 1964, he formed the Wailing Wailers with his two friends.

Their first title, Simmer Down, will be a tube in Jamaica. The Wailers receive only very little money while huge local stars. Short Hair, chic suits, the Wailers play ska and rock steady. In 1965 was recorded “One Love” will be a twelve tube later in the period Island.

II. / Rasta and Reggae

Marley discovered Rastafari after the official visit of Haile Selassie, King of Ethiopia, in Jamaica, in 1966. The monarch is welcomed as a living god by the crowd. On this occasion, the singer takes the Rasta philosophy that promotes pride and a place worthy of the black man in society. Lack of money, Bob leaves the city with his wife and children, and returns to his home village to recharge it. The discs are selling poorly and encounter no professional distributor. Nevertheless, it continues to record under his own label, Wail'n. Without money, Marley decided to return to his mother in the USA where he works nights in a Chrysler plant. On his return to Jamaica, he worked with many other artists. With his third album, “Natty Dread”, Marley performs only a masterpiece. He adds a blues influence and militant tone following the violence in Jamaica in early 1974. This album launched his international career and then begins an extensive tour with concerts in Europe.

III. / End of life

Bob Marley knew many health problems with five new tumors: the cancer is widespread. Marley keep confidential and continues its tour at the cost of terrible suffering. After discomfort, it is transported to the hospital. His days are numbered, but he decided to continue the tour. Finally, in September 1980, in Pittsburg, he finds the strength to give his last concert. His last song: Redemption song. On May 11, 1981 Bob Marley died at Miami, at age 36. Jamaica brings the honors, offers him a state funeral and even the Order of Merit.

IV. / Image and legacy

Bob Marley was well known even after his death. He introduced the world to reggae and it is definitely the king of reggae.

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