40 years after, the world still missing Bob Marley
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By BENJAMIN NJOKU
Tuesday, May 11, was exactly 40 years since Bob Marley’s transition, yet the world is still standing up for the late Jamaican reggae icon.
This is not because of his disposition as the King of reggae , but also, because of the strong impact his music has continued to make on the global scene decades after his exit.
Marley succumbed to death on the 11th of May, 1981, at the age of 36, after suffering from skin cancer. While he lived, he was considered as the most influential reggae star that used his music to fight against injustice, oppression and inequality in the society, regardless of race and religion.
Bob Marley
Forty years have gone by since the late Honorable Robert Nesta Marley’s transition on May 11, 1981. And, three years ago on May 11, 2018, the number of years since Marley’s passing – 37 to be exact – uniquely surpassed the number of years that the he had been alive. Fast forward four decades later to 2021, Marley is found to be effortlessly retaining his position among the ranks of the world’s greatest and most influential musicians.
The King of Jamaica’s Reggae music genre still reigns supreme and maintains relevance to effecting progress among the forgotten and undeserved. Marley was not only a musical maverick but a philosopher; a prophetic storyteller. The senior Gong performed songs such as
Bob Marley sold more than 20 million albums (Image: Getty)
That process started with 1973 s Catch A Fire. Released 10 years after he d formed the band, their fifth album was their first with Island Records - and the first to get noticed in the US.
The Wailers sound was very different from the pop reggae that had previously brightened up the UK charts. They had guitar solos, they were more political. Protest numbers such as Get Up, Stand Up and Redemption Song were as far from Max Romeo s 1968 hit Wet Dream as Marvin Gaye s What s Going On was from Baby Love.
Bob in a dressing room with Anton Witkamp from Warner Music (Image: Getty)