What is the name of Bob Marley's son? Biography of Bob Marley

The exceptional place that Bob Marley occupies in the history of reggae is due not only to the fact that he stood at its origins - first of all, it is given to Marley due to his unique talent, which combined unconditional musical talent with religious ecstasy.

Anyone who listens to Marley's music should immediately bear in mind that it is impossible to understand it without at least a cursory acquaintance with the history of the Rastafarian movement (a brief history of Rastafarianism at the end of the story); you can't take it as a simple piece of pop culture and listen to spiritual hymns - which is what most of Marley's songs are - in isolation from his mystical experience, of which they were a product. Simply put, a person who gets acquainted with Marley's songs without their context runs the risk, at best, of perceiving the singer as another political anarchist among the rebellious youth of the 60s - while he was primarily a spiritual leader and visionary, which is equal to rock and today Roll doesn't know.

Many have tried to explain the charm of Marley's work by a simple statement of his talent. But, I think, the solution lies in a somewhat different plane: Marley had a rare gift for adequately reproducing not personal, but universal truth, which only religion gives, strikingly balancing between composing "church hymns" and following purely aesthetic canons. His music is absolutely earthly, but not secular: he was the very medium that explains the eternal laws in an accessible language. And it is in this constant presence of eternity in his work - his strength and charm.

In addition, he was also awarded an amazing plastic-rhythmic gift: the ability to put words in their place. Try listening to the song "War" from the disc "Rastaman Vibrations" - it's impossible to hear from the ear that he performs a prose text. This absolute pitch allowed him to perform any compositions - both others' and his own - as they say, in the only possible way; any subsequent attempts at cover versions stumble upon a complete exhaustion of interpretations.

The history of pop culture, and perhaps even modern history, does not know more cases when a person during his lifetime had a fame similar to that of Bob Marley - not in terms of the number of fans, but in terms of the seriousness of the relationship. The legend of an entire nation, a personality of a state scale and a living prophet - and not in a figurative sense, like, say, Jim Morrison - but in a direct way: that was Bob Marley. And remains to this day. The honors given to him after death are comparable to royal ones; the influence he had on minds and souls during his lifetime is almost biblical. Moreover, his life was short and not rich in events that traditionally arouse interest - professional scandals and love affairs. Rather, it was similar to a mystical feat - although with its own characteristics, due to geography, history and religious philosophy.

Robert Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in a small town in northern Jamaica. His mother was a black eighteen-year-old Cedella Booker, his father was a white fifty-year-old sailor Norval Marley. The boy did not have a family in the traditional sense - his father rarely appeared, although he helped his mother with money.

In the early sixties, mother and son moved to the capital of Jamaica - Kingston and, like many others like them, settled in Trenchtown. Here, the growing Bob made friends, the same offspring of poor families; together they spent time listening to the radio, which brought the nascent rock and roll to Jamaica. Marley left school and got a job in a welding shop, and all his free time he sang songs, training his vocal cords. In this he was helped by the famous Kingston singer Joe Higgs, who gave him several vocal lessons in the backyard of the house.

In 1962, Bob and his friends, Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh, auditioned for local entrepreneur Leslie Kong, who recorded several tracks with them in the studio. The following year, Bob formed a group of friends and named it "The Wailing Wailers" ("Wailing Mourners"). There was no irony in this - the tradition of crying is strong in any Negro culture.

This was the time of the popularity of ska, the Jamaican variety of New Orleans rhythm and blues, and huge acoustic systems placed on the streets of Kingston (reggae adherents claim that this kind of street music led to the emergence of raves). Marley and his comrades, playing trendy music, were quickly noticed and over the next five years became an island celebrity.

1966 was a defining year in the fate of Marley. He got married, visited America, where his mother, who had remarried, lived, and, having formed an impression of Babylon, which the Rastamans considered America to be, he returned to Kingston, where his Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, the incarnation of the Almighty Jah, had visited six months before him. - God of the Rastafarians. The Rastafarian movement was on the rise here at this point. And Marley became his voice. This is how reggae was born.

Until the early 1970s, The Wailers were virtually unknown outside of Jamaica. After unsuccessful attempts to conclude a contract with a number of firms, Marley found himself on the threshold of the now famous Island Recrordz. The founder of the studio, Chris Blackwell, initially focused on the distribution of Jamaican music and, having settled in London in 1962, popularized ska, rock steady and reggae in the Old World, and later the founders of prog-rock Jethro Tull and King Crimson. Knowing well about Marley's fame in his homeland, Blackwell offered him an unthinkable contract in the history of reggae bands: he was put on an equal footing with rock bands.

Marley's first record on the Island, "Catch a Fire", immediately set new standards in pop music: newspapers wrote about the phenomenon of a new, completely different style, new rhythm and melody, combined with an unusual, religious-Protestant theme of the song. From that moment on, the Marley group gained international fame. In 1973, invited to open for Sly & The Family Stone, the No. 1 black American band, The Wailers were soon dropped from the tour because they were more warmly received than the headliners.

In the next three years, Marley became a real star, and his songs became the anthems of the fighters for racial equality. The fact that his words had a very real political weight is evidenced by the incident that occurred in Kingston on December 5, 1976.

At this time, a real war in the ghetto was going on in the city, and Marley, whose authority here was indisputable, decided to give a free concert to call the inhabitants to peace. The government, however, timed the parliamentary elections, scheduled two weeks later, to coincide with the concert.

On the eve of the concert, several people broke into Marley's house and opened fire. Marley and three members of his band were injured, however, the concert was not canceled, but only shortened: Marley went on stage and sang several songs.

In the next four years, Marley lived alternately in England and America: however, as a rule, he was on tour. The group often visited Africa: in 1980, the government of liberated Zimbabwe invited The Wailers to the Independence Day ceremony - such was the recognition of Marley's services to the third world countries. Two years earlier, the Prime Minister of Jamaica and the leader of the local opposition had attended his concert; in the same year, the United Nations awarded him the Peace Medal.

In 1980, Marley's health deteriorated sharply - three years ago, while playing football, he injured his toe, and he developed a malignant tumor: then he refused to amputate his finger due to religious beliefs. Now he had to go to a Bavarian clinic, because the disease struck the brain. However, the treatment did not help, and in early May 1981, Marley, realizing that he was dying, demanded to be taken to his homeland. But he did not have time to get there and died in a Miami hospital on May 11, 1981.

The day of his funeral, according to eyewitnesses, was the most mournful day in the entire modern history of Jamaica. National mourning was declared in the country. The mourning ceremony was attended by all the leaders of the ruling party and the opposition. Marley's body was transported to his birthplace and placed in a mausoleum. He was 36 years old. A month before his death, he was awarded the Order of Merit, a government award in recognition of his outstanding role in the cultural life of the country. Marley left behind a huge number of fans and followers and a large number of songs. But most importantly, he left behind a message-call "to free your mind from anger and wake up to life." And, perhaps, only in his case, these words, worn out from frequent use by rockers, do not seem banal.

Despite the fact that more than thirty years have passed since the death of Bob Marley, he still remains the most famous and authoritative musician in the world who performed songs in the style.

The Life of Bob Marley

Bob Marley was born in Jamaica. His mother was a local girl, and his father was a European who saw his son only twice during his lifetime, and when Bob was 10 years old, he died. In his early years, Bob Marley belonged to the subculture of ore-boys (disillusioned guys from the lower classes, showing contempt for authority and any order).

Later, the young man became interested in music and began to write reggae songs himself. Together with his band, Bob Marley traveled to Europe and America with concerts, his songs and albums were in the lead in many prestigious world charts. It was thanks to the musical activity of Bob Marley that reggae culture became popular outside of Jamaica.

Bob Marley was also an adherent of Rastafarianism - a religion that rejects adherence to consumer culture and Western values, and also preaches love for one's neighbor. The musician actively participated in the political and public life of Jamaica.

Why did Bob Marley die?

Many, wondering what year and from what Bob Marley died, are surprised, because the singer was only 36 years old. He died in 1981.

Bob Marley's cause of death was a malignant skin tumor (melanoma) that appeared on his toe. Cancer was discovered in 1977 and at the same time, while the disease did not give complications, they suggested that the musician amputate his finger. However, he did not agree. Bob Marley called the reason for refusing the operation the fear of losing his plasticity, with which he amazes fans on stage, as well as the inability to play football after the amputation. In addition, the followers of Rastafarianism believe that the body must be kept intact, and therefore the operation could not take place due to the religious beliefs of Bob Marley. He continued his active singing and touring career.

In 1980, Bob Marley underwent cancer treatment in Germany, the singer underwent chemotherapy, from which his dreadlocks began to fall out. However, there was no drastic improvement in well-being.

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As a result, Bob Marley decided to return to his homeland, but due to poor health, the flight from Germany to Jamaica could not be carried out. The musician stayed in a Miami hospital, where he later died. Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981.

Bob Marley (1945-1981) is a famous musician and vocalist, guitarist and composer from Jamaica. The most famous performer of reggae music. Thanks to Bob Marley, this musical style has become very popular in the world far beyond Jamaica.

Childhood and youth

In 1944, there was a small village in northern Jamaica called Nine Miles. A young black woman named Cedella Booker, who lived there, married a white European sailor, Norval Marley. The captain was 50 years old, he had previously served as an officer in the British Navy, and then as a helmsman he was seconded to the British West Indies Regiment, followed by a service as a manager on a Jamaica plantation. And in February 1945, Cedella gave birth to a son, she was 18 years old at that time, the boy was named Robert Nesta Marley.

But soon the previous family began to put pressure on Norval, he left his young wife and his newly born son. Then he visited them very rarely, although he always helped financially, as far as it was possible for him. Bob saw his father only twice. When the boy was 10 years old, Norval Marley died.

In the Jamaican villages, all the inhabitants dreamed of the capital of Kingston, it seemed to them that this city opens up a lot of opportunities and prospects for people. Therefore, the provincials went to the capital in huge streams, although there was not much work there at all. Soon, the illusions were destroyed, but people still did not want to return to the villages. So in the western part of Kingston, slums grew, of which Trenchtown enjoyed a particularly notorious reputation. This is where Bob Marley ended up with his mother when he was still a teenager.

Here he met the same poor boy from the slums, Neville Livingston, his nickname was Bunny. Together they began to take their first timid steps into the world of music. The guys listened to American radio, they especially liked the New Orleans radio station, which broadcast new musical compositions by Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles, Brook Benton, Fats Domino. The boys were also interested in the music of black performers, who enjoyed incredible popularity on the island.

Bob did not finish his studies at school and went to work as a welder in welding workshops. But in life he had only one passion and aspiration - music. Jamaican singer Joe Higgs, who lived in the same area of ​​Trenchtown, helped him improve his musical skills. He gave the boys vocal lessons for free. At one of these classes, the guys met Peter McIntosh, who later became known to the whole world as Peter Tosh.

The beginning of the musical path

In 1962, Bob was auditioned by local entrepreneur Leslie Kong. The young man's vocals impressed him, and at the studio he recorded several compositions with him. The single "Judge Not" became the debut in the musical creative career of singer Bob Marley, he wrote it in collaboration with Joe Higgs.

The following year, the same Joe Higgs helped Bob create a vocal group called The Wailers, which included:

• Peter Tosh - vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist;
• Beverly Kelso - backing vocals
• Bunny Livingston - vocals, percussion
• Cherry Green - backing vocals
• Junior Braithwaite - Vocals

Bob Marley himself performed as a guitarist and vocalist. Alvin Patterson, the drummer, mentored the band and helped it develop. He helped the guys get through to the producer from Kingston, Clement Dodd. Clement listened to their musical compositions, was very pleased and agreed to record.

On the streets of Kingston, a new dance music sounded incendiary, it was based on the traditions of Jamaica, but the sharply pronounced hot rhythm and sonorous beat resembled New Orleans rhythm and blues.

Just before 1964, the group released their first single "Simmer Down", and already in January it took the top of the Jamaican charts, holding out on the first lines for about two months. The song became a sensation and sold 80,000 copies.

Since that time, the group began to constantly record in the studio, but over time, the style of their music began to change a little. The lyrics increasingly touched on the street life of the slums of Kingston. Jamaican music has firmly taken its place on the street.

In the next two years, the band released about 30 songs, many of which were incredibly successful, such as "Rude Boy".

On the Jamaican scene, the group took a strong position, but internal disagreements began. In 1965, three people left the team, and the next year it broke up completely.

By this time, Bob's mother had remarried and moved to America. She saved up enough money to send money to her son for a ticket to the United States.

Sedella wanted him to move closer to her and start a new life here. After the breakup of the Marley group, Bob went to his mother, worked for some time at an American automobile plant as an auxiliary worker. But Bob did not stay in America for long, after 8 months he returned to Jamaica and recreated his group.

Mature creativity

In the life of Bob Marley came a defining period. By this time, the Rastafarian movement had spread very strongly in Jamaica, Marley was also gradually drawn into this, and his music became a complete reflection of the new faith and ideas. The songs more and more touched upon the problems of the spiritual and social plane.

The re-created group sang songs of various genres, but popularity has not yet come outside of Jamaica.

In 1971, Bob and friends opened a record label, but nothing good came of it. However, at the end of the year, Marley was lucky, he signed a contract with American singer Johnny Nash and composed two songs for him, which became hits. Johnny invited Bob to accompany him on a trip to Sweden, Marley did not refuse and left. Finally, in Europe, he signed a contract with CBS, and the Bob Marley group released a collection of songs "Catch a Fire", which made them famous outside their native island.

The popularity of The Wailers grew, in 1973 they had a tour of the UK and the United States of America.

The whole of 1974 in Bob's life was full of work on a new album, he spent a lot of time in the studios.

But in speed, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston decided to start solo performances and left the band. Their place was taken by a trio of black women, and the group was named "Bob Marley & The Wailers". One of the vocalists, Rita, Bob's wife.

The updated women's team went on a big tour of North and South America, Europe and Africa.

The mid-70s was marked by the fact that Marley and his band were recognized as the world leader in the musical style of reggae, their albums occupied high positions in the charts, and songs that simultaneously expressed "rebellion, love and faith" were very popular among intellectuals.

When the band returned home from touring, they were greeted as Jamaica's biggest stars. Along with the musical world fame of Bob Marley, his political authority in the country grew.

During most of 1977, Bob lived and worked in London, he worked on the new album "Exodus". Three compositions from this disc subsequently became bestsellers.

In 1978, Marley was invited to New York, where he was awarded the Peace Medal. In the same year, he first visited Ethiopia and Kenya. In 1979, Bob's new album, Survival, was released.

It was dedicated to the solidarity of African countries in their struggle for independence.

In 1980, the Bob Marley Band was invited to Zimbabwe for an independence celebration. The next album "Uprising" was released, which became an instant hit. The group went on a big tour of Europe, which beat all the available peaks of popularity on the continent. They gave the biggest concert in the history of the band this year in Milan, with 100,000 people in attendance.

The hopes and plans were grandiose, but Bob's illness did not allow them to come true.

Personal life

In 1965, shortly before leaving for his mother in America, Bob met a girl, Rita Anderson. A love relationship began, and on February 10, 1966, young people got married.

After living with a musician for several months, the girl also began a solo career. When Rita married Bob, she already had a daughter from another man, Marley adopted the girl. They have four children together - a son and three daughters.

Bob Marley has only 11 children, six of them were born out of wedlock, during his tours and trips the musician had many relationships on the side.

Illness and death

Marley loved football. During an amateur game in London, he injured his toe, but at first did not attach much attention to this injury.

When the finger began to bother him a lot and Marley went to the clinic, the doctors recognized that he had melanoma - a malignant tumor of the big toe. Bob was offered to amputate his leg, he did not want to. He simply said that how will he then play football and perform on stage, because he must be plastic. In addition, his Rastaman faith did not allow "a person to be taken apart", in their concept the body should remain a single whole until the end of life.

In 1980, after a successful European tour from Germany, Bob went on tour with the band to America. Two concerts passed, and then on a morning run in the park, the musician lost consciousness. The tour was interrupted, Bob flew to Munich to the famous physician in the field of oncology, Joseph Issels. He underwent treatment and chemotherapy courses, he spent eight months in the Bavarian clinic, but all to no avail. His famous tangled locks of hair began to fall out - dreadlocks, he had to cut them off. Cancer in its most dangerous form began to affect Bob's entire body.

In early May 1981, Marley was baptized at Kingston Orthodox Church in Ethiopia, taking the name Berhane Selassie.

He really wanted to see Jamaica for the last time before his death, but the flight from Germany did not work out. Marley's health deteriorated, the plane was forced to land in Florida, where Bob died in a hospital on May 11, 1981.

He managed to say important, last and real words to his son: "Money can never buy life."

Bob Marley's body was transported to his birthplace, where a funeral took place on May 21, 1981. He was buried in the mausoleum. In the crypt next to him are a Bible and a guitar, a football with a bunch of marijuana, and a ring given to him by an Ethiopian prince, which he never took off.

Great human merit requires the same great world awards:

The song “One Love” was named the best song of the millennium by the BBC, and Bob Marley himself was named the greatest lyricist of all time.

Bob Marley (Bob Marley), full name Robert Nesta Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), was born on February 6, 1945 in the village of Nine Miles, Jamaica.

His father, a British naval officer, soon left the family, his mother was a native Jamaican, a gospel singer (a genre of African American sacred music).

In the late 1950s, Bob Marley dropped out of school and began working as a welder. In his spare time, he, along with his friend Bunny Wailer (Neville O "Reilly Livingston), did vocals. Then he met Peter Tosh (Winston Mackintosh), who in 1962, together with Bunny, joined the first Bob Marley Wailers group. The debut single of the group Simmer Down (1965) stayed at number one on the Jamaican charts for two months.

In 1966, Marley married Rita Anderson, a singer from The Soulettes, and left with her and his mother for the United States.

In 1967, having returned to Jamaica, he became involved in the Rastafarian social and religious movement, the main idea of ​​which is the liberation and unification of all black inhabitants of the world and a return to African ethno-cultural roots.

In 2001, Marley was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bob Marley's "One Love" was named song of the millennium by the BBC.

Bob Marley was ranked 11th on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2010, his single Catch Fire was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

In the city of Nigril, located west of the capital of Jamaica, Kingston, concerts in memory of Bob Marley are held on the musician's birthday.

A monument to Bob Marley was unveiled in the Serbian village of Banatski Sokolac.

In 2012, a documentary film about the iconic reggae artist "Bob Marley" was released.

In honor of Bob Marley, American researcher Paul Sikkel named a new species of tiny crustaceans he discovered.

From the official wife of Rita Marley, the singer left four children - daughters Cedella and Stephanie, sons David, who became a famous singer Ziggy Marley, and Stephen. After the death of her husband, Rita Marley continued her solo career, releasing the albums Sunshine After Rain (2003) and Play Play (2004). In honor of her late husband, along with other members of the Bob Marley family, she created the Bob Marley Foundation, a charitable foundation specializing in helping people and organizations in developing countries.

In 2004, Rita Marley published a book about life with Bob called No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley.

Bob Marley's Three Little Birds, a children's play written by Bob Marley's daughter Sedella, premiered at the New Victory Theater in Times Square, New York.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources