Bob Marley is a global superstar, but recently the younger audience has been learning more about Bob since Bob Marley: One Love. However, the movie only focuses on one point in his life and one album, but many people are wondering about the rest of his life. Bob Marley, unfortunately, died at the age of 36, but in his short lifetime, he became one of the most influential songwriters to this day. Bob Marley is a reggae singer who often sings about life growing up in Jamaica. Bob Marley is the face of reggae, selling over 75 million records worldwide! In 1963, Bob and his friends formed the Wailing Wailers, which became Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Bob Marley was born named Robert Nesta Marley, but his mother was told his name was too girly and changed it. When Bob was young, he always had questions about his father; a white man, since he was so absent from Bob’s life. Bob Marley wasn’t always with money, growing up in Jamaica, he fell in love with music, but he was constantly surrounded by poverty and crime. Even though his upbringing wasn’t great, Bob still managed to find the good things in life, which influenced many songs. Although Bob wasn’t a hit alone, when he formed the Wailing Wailers, that’s when he sold millions of records. While the group skyrocketed, financially they weren’t making enough money. In poverty, Bob decided to go to the United States for 8 months.
Rita Marley, (who was Bob’s wife) took part in the Wailing Wailers, while she also took care of Bob’s 12 children, 3 of whom she had and the other 7 were from affairs that either she had, or Bob had. Along with those kids, he took in Rita’s daughters. Bob decided to go on tour, and from there, he took off internationally. When Bob went back to Jamaica, he was seen as a threat. While the band was rehearsing, Rita went outside, where a targeted attack took place. Rita got shot in the head, and Bob turned around and was able to barely miss a bullet. Bob still got shot in the arm, but he got protected from most shots because his manager; Don Taylor jumped in front of Bob, causing him to take 6 shots. The attempted assassination happened two days before a planned performance, yet Bob played anyway. Afterward, Bob swore he had to leave Jamaica to keep his family safe. Bob moved to London, where he wrote his most popular album; Exodus. After Exodus, before Bob’s One Love tour, he went back to Jamaica and joined hands with 2 political figures, and lightning struck! After the tour, Bob’s cancer had spread throughout his body, he was able to live in London and get treated, but they knew he wouldn’t live long. He set out to live his final days in Jamaica, but didn’t make it and died at 36, in 1981.
