Today is Bob Marley’s 68th birthday
Today, February 6, 2013, would have been Bob Marley’s 68th birthday.
The beloved Jamaican singer died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36, but his legacy lives on through his music. Marley is credited with helping spread both reggae sounds and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience throughout his 18 years in the business.
According to Urban Islandz – “Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers,” which was released three years after his death, is reggae’s biggest selling album to date, with more than 10 million copies sold in the United States and an estimated 25 million worldwide. And that’s no surprise.
Despite his absence, Marley has continued to garner success, being honored with such awards as BBC’s song of the millenium for “One Love” and getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Also in 1999, Time Magazine named Bob Marley & The Wailers’ “Exodus” as the greatest album of the 20th century.
Bob Marley.
Hundreds of tourists joined dreadlocked Rastafarian priests, leading reggae musicians and some of Bob Marley’s relatives at the late reggae icon’s old house in Jamaica to mark the 68th anniversary of his birth Wednesday.
Since his death from cancer in 1981 at age 36, Marley has become more than Jamaica’s most famous musical export. The trailblazing reggae songwriter’s message of unity and respect for human rights remains a beacon of hope for some in this Caribbean nation chronically struggling with a sputtering economy and high rates of violence.
“It’s the same struggle now as when he was alive. So his music, when you hear it, it’s like he’s singing today even though he died some 30 odd years ago” – said Mutabaruka, a famed dub poet who attended the celebration along with reggae singers like Sizzla Kalonji.
In the early morning light, some of Marley’s relations and old friends danced and chanted to the pounding of Rastafarian drums in the yard of his Kingston home, which is now a family-run museum displaying his guitar, clothing and other memorabilia. Later in the day, Marley’s songs were blasted from big speakers as people danced and chatted amid clouds of marijuana smoke.
Bob Marley would have been 68.
Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’. Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.
Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’. Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.
Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.Today is Bob Marley’s birthday. One Love. Life is worth much more than gold. Make way for the positive day! Ooooo yeah, we’re jammin’.