Nation Builders Bob Marley

Nation Builders

Bob Marley

Proclaimed and accepted worldwide as the ‘King of Reggae’, Bob Marley charted his own course in the music industry with passion and creativity as a song writer, singer and performer. He successfully transcended three Jamaican musical genres from the 1960’s through to the early 1980’s – Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae – his most influential musical form. And, after almost three decades since his death, his music is still relevant to millions of people across the globe.

His commitment to the Rastafarian faith and his views on social issues were the cornerstone of his music. His song ‘One Love’, which speaks to his hope for world peace and his position on equality for all races, classes and ethnicities, is depicted on the track ‘War’; while ‘Rasta man Vibration’ and ‘Jah Live’

reinforced his religious beliefs. In his “One Love” peace concert on April 22,1978 he brought the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (Edward Seaga) and People’s National Party(Michael Manley ) on stage, to shake hands in an effort to reduce to the violence due to politics in the 1970s. 

Bob Marley’s contribution to music and to Reggae, in particular, has been internationally and locally recognised. His song, ‘One Love’, was voted the best song of the 20th century, while his album ‘Exodus’ (1977), which stayed on the UK’s music chart for 56 consecutive weeks, was voted the greatest album of the Century by the US based, Time Magazine; the most outstanding achievement an artiste could desire.

In 1981, Marley was awarded Jamaica’s third highest honour, the Order of Merit, for his outstanding contribution to Jamaican culture. As a mark of the highest respect, he also received an official funeral from the Government of Jamaica, when he died in May 1981. His music has also served to influence the creation of Jamaica’s Reggae Month celebrations, which is observed in February each year.

In 1981, Marley was awarded Jamaica’s third highest honour, the Order of Merit, for his outstanding contribution to Jamaican culture. As a mark of the highest respect, he also received an official funeral from the Government of Jamaica, when he died in May 1981. His music has also served to influence the creation of Jamaica’s Reggae Month celebrations, which is observed in February each year.

Today his music still helps to bring thousands of tourists to Jamaica, as his music is known worldwide . Many come to Jamaica yearly to visit his museum and hometown.