Bob Marley personal life. Marley Bob: biography, career, personal life

Bob Marley - creative pseudonym. His real name is Robert Nesta Marley. The young man was born in a small village in Jamaica. His father was English and served as a general in the British Navy. At the time of Bob’s birth, Bob’s mother was only 16 years old; she was 44 years younger than her chosen one. Perhaps the age difference between the spouses played a role in their short family life.

Bob Marley, after graduating from school, went to work as a welder in order to somehow help his mother maintain her home life. But music attracted him very much, so in parallel with his main work, he, together with his friend Neville Livingston, began to hone his musical abilities. The then famous musician Joe Higgsue made a huge contribution to his career by teaching several free vocal lessons.

Career

18-year-old Bob made his first public appearance with his single “Judge Not,” which Joe Higgsue helped him write. That same year, Marley, along with her friends Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh, auditioned for the influential Chinese-Jamaican reggae producer Leslie Kong. A year later, the young people organized their own vocal group, which was called “The Teenagers”, a little later it was renamed “The Wailers”. Bass guitarist Aston Barrett was promoted to the position of musical director of the group.

The group's popularity grew very quickly. Her first single, “Simmer Down,” sold 80 thousand copies. In 1966, despite high ratings, The Wailers broke up. A few years later, Bob Marley re-formed the group, including a female vocal trio and renaming it Bob Marley and the Wailers. In the mid-70s, the vocalists were recognized as the leaders of reggae.

Following the band's enormous success, Bob became a popular cult figure. The public perceived his speeches in the field of politics and religion as the speech of the Almighty. But they had young man and enemies, for example, in 1976, an attempt was made on him and his family to disrupt free concert, aimed at reconciling the two political forces in Jamaica that hate each other. Despite being shot in the chest and arm, Bob held the concert.

On the personal front, everything was fine for the musician. He and his wife Rita Marley had four children. After the death of her husband, the wife tried to continue vocal career, but over time I decided that the children needed it more than the public.

The decline of Bob Marley

At 32 years old young musician found a cancerous tumor on thumb legs. Bob, who loved football very much, refused amputation, arguing that he would not be able to play on the field. In addition, the Rastafarians, who Marley was, believed that the human body should remain intact.

Since Marley was a symbol of African unity, in 1980 he was offered a concert in Zimbabwe. Then he planned a tour of Europe and America, but during a tour performance in New York, the young man lost consciousness and was forced to begin treatment in Munich. After undergoing chemotherapy, he lost his hair and lost a lot of weight. In May 1981 he was baptized into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Realizing that his days were numbered, he expressed a desire to spend them on native land, but was unable to fly to Jamaica due to health conditions. The cancer had already attacked his lungs and brain. Despite the enormous efforts of doctors, Bob Marley died in hospital on May 11, 1981. Although during his lifetime he was not able to carry out last days on the island, his body was interred in Jamaica. The funeral was held according to Rastafarian traditions. A guitar, a soccer ball, a bunch of marijuana, a ring and a Bible were placed in his crypt.

Legendary Jamaican musician, guitarist, performer and composer, married when he was twenty-one. Bob Marley's wife Cuban Alfarita Anderson met when she was eighteen and he was nineteen. Bob spotted Rita while passing her home in Trenchout on his way to the local recording studio. There, together with his small group, the then unknown modest guitarist recorded music.

In the photo - Bob Marley's wife in her youth

Bob Marley's future wife attracted his attention with how great she and her friends performed a song. The musicians invited the girls to join their group to sing back, and since then Rita and Bob have never been separated. They immediately felt for each other strong feeling, and soon things began between them whirlwind romance. After they got married, Bob Marley's wife sold his records in a store she created specifically for this purpose right in their home. They were always together - even during tours, Rita was always next to Bob - she continued to work as a backing vocalist in the group.

In the photo - Bob Marley with his wife and children

She did a lot for her husband, and as soon as he became a celebrity, he even lost his sense of gratitude towards her. In each country, he found new lovers from among models or winners of local beauty contests. He was not shy about anyone - Bob Marley's wife saw with her own eyes how new girls came out of his bedroom every morning. Of course, this attitude destroyed her previous feelings, and Rita felt lonely and insulted, especially when her husband brought children into their family born from him by other women. Despite the fact that Bob himself behaved completely freely towards his wife, he made masterly demands on her - he was jealous and demanded unquestioning obedience.

In the photo - Rita Marley

He didn’t care that his growing children saw how he treated their mother. But, despite such humiliation, Bob Marley's wife continued to support him and take care of all their large family. Due to an old leg injury received while playing football, Bob Marley's health began to deteriorate sharply - he was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of thirty-six. After his death, Bob Marley's wife forgave her husband and said that, despite the fact that life next to him sometimes turned into a real nightmare for her, she considered him a good man, and stayed with him until the end of his days because she loved him.
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Bob Marley was born in the Jamaican village of Nine Miles. He was interested in music since childhood, and after moving to Kingston he began to develop his abilities. After graduating from school, he went to work as a mechanic. And in free time played music with Neville Livingston and Joe Higgs.

The first song in Bob Marley's biography was recorded at the age of 16 - “Judge Not”. Then in 1963 he formed the group "The Wailers", whose music became very popular in Jamaica. But already in 1966 the group broke up. After a short stint in the United States, Marley returned to his homeland and rebuilt the group.

International fame finally came to The Wailers in 1972, when they signed a contract with Island Records and released the album Catch A Fire. And in next year the group began touring the United States. After several members left the group, Marley added a female trio and changed the name (to Bob Marley And The Wailers").

After world tours and enormous popularity, Bob Marley's biography became known as one of the leading performers in the reggae style (although the group also played in the styles of ska, fusion, and calypso). Marley also supported the Pan-Africanism movement and was a participant in the Rastafarian social movement. Bob Marley died of a malignant tumor on May 11, 1981.

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Bob Marley full name Robert Nesta Marley. Born February 6, 1945 in Nine Miles - died May 11, 1981 in Miami. Jamaican musician, guitarist, vocalist and composer. Even though many years have passed since his death, Bob Marley is still the most famous performer in reggae style. It was due to his international success that reggae gained widespread popularity outside of Jamaica.

Bob Marley was one of the most prominent supporters of Pan-Africanism and a devout Rastafarian; many followers of this movement even consider Marley a prophet.

Bob Marley was born in Nine Miles, Jamaica. His father, Named Marley, was of European descent, served as an officer in the British Navy, and then served as a manager on one of the plantations in Jamaica. There he met Robert's mother, 16-year-old Jamaican girl Cedella Booker. During his lifetime, Robert saw his father only 2 times. In 1955, when Bob Marley was 10 years old, Norval died.

Once upon a time, before joining the reggae movement, a very young Bob Marley was a rud boy. The ore-boys emphasized their contempt for danger in every possible way. One of external signs Rudy had a shaved head. The favorite clothing of the rud boys was a black suit, as well as ties and hats borrowed from American adventure films.

In the late 1950s, Marley, like many other Jamaican provincials, moved with his mother to the capital of Jamaica, Kingston, where he settled in the poor Trenchtown area. There he met Neville Livingston, nicknamed Bunny, with whom he began to take his first steps in music. After graduating from school, Marley got a job as a welder, and in his free time he improved his musical skills. He was helped in this by the famous Jamaican musician Joe Higgs, who gave Marley and Bunny free lessons vocals Soon he met Peter Mackintosh, who would later become known as Peter Tosh.

At the age of 18, Bob Marley made his debut with the single “Judge Not,” which he wrote with Joe Higgs. In 1963, with the help of the same Higgs, Bob Marley organized a vocal group The group The Wailers, which included Peter Tosh, Bunny Livingston, Junior Braithwaite, Cherry Green and Beverly Kelso. The band's musical director was bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett. The group's first single, “Simmer Down” (1964), topped the Jamaican charts and sold more than 80 thousand copies. In 1965, The Wailers reduced their line-up to a trio and, despite the success of the songs (for example, “Rude Boy” entered the local Top 10), they disbanded in 1966.

For some time, Bob Marley worked as a laborer at a car plant in the USA, where his mother had moved, but soon returned to Jamaica and re-formed The Wailers. The group worked in a variety of genres - ska, calypso, fusion, but its popularity did not spread beyond the island. In 1971, the musicians organized their own recording company, Tuff Gong, but this venture was not successful either.

However, at the end of 1971, Bob Marley signed a contract with American singer Johnny Nash and wrote two hit songs for him: “Guava Jelly” and “Stir It Up.” In 1972, The Wailers finally received a contract with the international firm Island Records and released the album Catch A Fire, which became their first production to be released outside of Jamaica. The group's popularity grew, and the musicians were greatly helped by Eric Clapton, who included The Wailers' composition "I Shot The Sheriff" on his album, which became an international hit. In 1973, the group toured the United States. Soon, Tosh and Livingston left the group, starting solo careers.

Bob Marley included composition The Wailers female vocal trio ( group I-THREE, which included Bob's wife, Rita Marley), changed their name to Bob Marley And The Wailers and, along with his former mentor Higgs went on a tour of Africa, Europe and the Americas. By the mid-1970s, Bob Marley and his band had become recognized leaders of reggae, and in the UK, almost all of Marley’s new songs were included in the Top 40 (“No woman, no cry”, 1975; “Exodus”, 1977; “Waiting In”) Vain", 1977; "Satisfy My Soul", 1978) and Top 10 ("Jamming", 1977; "Is This Love", 1978).

In the USA, however, only the song “Roots, Rock, Reggae” entered the pop chart (1976, 51st place), and “ Could You“Be Loved” passed in the soul category (1980, 56th place), but the group’s albums invariably took high places, and the songs of “love, faith and rebellion,” as journalists called their works, enjoyed incredible popularity among the intellectual elite. In Jamaica, Bob Marley became a real cult figure; the public perceived his political and religious speeches as revelations of a saint. In 1976, an attempt was made on his life, involuntarily drawn into local politics. Despite the serious wound, he held all the planned concerts, explaining that there was too much evil in the world and he had no right to waste even one day.

In July 1977, Marley was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on her big toe. He refused amputation, citing fear of losing the opportunity to play football and lose his plasticity on stage; in addition, Rastafarians believe that the body should remain “whole.”

In 1980, Marley performed in Zimbabwe, which had gained independence from Britain that year: by that time, Marley was a symbol of African unity, especially in former colonial countries. This was followed by a successful tour of Germany. However, the planned American tour was interrupted when, after performing two concerts at Madison Square Garden, the singer collapsed while jogging in New York's Central Park. In the winter of 1980, Bob Marley underwent treatment in Munich with cancer specialist Josef Issels, but to no avail. As a result of chemotherapy, Marley's dreadlocks began to fall out, and they had to be cut off.

On May 4, 1981, Bob Marley was baptized at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Kingston and took the name Berhane Selassie (Amharic for Light of the Holy Trinity). He was then awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit. Bob Marley wanted to spend his last days in Jamaica, but due to health conditions, the flight from Germany had to be interrupted in Miami, Florida. Despite intensive treatment, Bob Marley died in hospital on May 11, 1981. Last words What he said to his son was: “Money can’t buy life” (Russian: Money can’t buy life).

Bob Marley was buried in Jamaica. His funeral took place according to the laws of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, while observing the traditions of Rastafarianism. In the crypt next to him lie a Gibson Les Paul guitar, a soccer ball, a bunch of marijuana, a Bible and a ring that he always wore (a gift from an Ethiopian prince, the eldest son of Haile Selassie I).

Released in 2012 documentary"Marley."

On February 6, 2015, Bob Marley's birthday, after five hours of debate, the Jamaican Senate passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana. Now, possession of 2 ounces (56 grams) of marijuana will only be punishable by a fine, without a criminal case. The law was passed just in time for the birthday of reggae music legend Bob Marley, who died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36. It was widely known that Bob considered cannabis to be the "country's premier healer."

Bob Marley discography:

Studio albums:

1970 - Soul Rebels
1971 - Soul Revolution
1971 - The Best of the Wailers
1973 - Catch a Fire
1973 - Burnin"
1974 - Natty Dread
1976 - Rastaman Vibration
1977 - Exodus
1978 - Kaya
1979 - Survival
1980 - Uprising
1983 - Confrontation (posthumous)

Live albums:

1975 - Live! (Recording of a concert at the Lyceum Theatre, London, July 1975)
1978 - Babylon by Bus (Recordings from concerts in Europe, 1978)
1991 - Talkin' Blues (Recorded live at the Record Plant, San Francisco, 1973)
2003 - Live at the Roxy (Recording of the concert at the Roxy, West Hollywood, May 26, 1976)
2011 - Live Forever: The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, September 23, 1980

Bob Marley Family:

Imani Carol Marley (b. 1963) - first daughter
Sharon Marley (b. 1964) - adopted daughter (singer)
Sidella Marley (b. 1967) - second daughter (designer)
David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (b. 1968) - first son (musician)
Stephen Marley (b. 1972) - second son (musician)
Robert "Robbie" Marley (b. 1972) - third son (stuntrider)
Rohan Marley (b. 1972) - fourth son (footballer)
Karen Marley (b. 1973) - third daughter
Stephanie Marley (b. 1974) - adopted daughter
Julian Marley (b. 1975) - fifth son (musician)
Kai-Mani Marley (b. 1976) - sixth son (musician)
Damian "Gong Jr." Marley (b. 1978) - seventh son (musician)
Madeka Marley (b. 1981) - fourth daughter

Bob Marley - cult musician Jamaican composer and performer own songs. His music is and has been popular all over the world.

Bob Marley

Bob married a young Cuban, Alfarita Anderson, at the age of twenty.

They met on the street, near the girl’s house. The young, unattractive musician saw her when he went to the studio to record songs. Alfarita sang with friends and Bob really liked her. After hearing this, he couldn’t help but invite her to his group. Since then, the couple has never separated.

Bob Marley marries Rita

An insatiable feeling immediately flared up between them and a long romance began.

Soon the lovers got married and began to live together. Bob began singing and recording records. His wife supported him in everything and helped him develop.

They even opened their own store at home, where anyone could buy a record of Marley's music. Alfarita was the guitarist's backing vocals all this time. The young couple went on all the tours together.

Bob Marley family

Bob's wife did everything she could for him, and after her husband became popular, she became nothing to him. He began to go on tour alone and found mistresses there. Each new girl was more beautiful than the previous one, since they were all models. Later, he began to take girls to his home, where, in front of his wife, he did whatever he wanted. But that's not so bad. Later, Bob's children from other women began to appear at home. This completely destroyed the family and Alfarita felt terribly humiliated and unnecessary.

Bob Marley

Even in those moments when Bob cheated on his wife, he demanded unquestioning obedience and fidelity from her. The girl was in a very humiliating state, but she still remained with her husband until her death and helped him. During the singer’s serious illness, his wife did not leave his side; she forgave him everything. Alfarita always loved Bob and considered him the most talented person in the world.