40th anniversary of the music pioneer's death

Publish date: 2024-08-13

It is 40 years since legendary reggae singer Bob Marley died of cancer in Miami, aged 36, on 11 May 1981.

Getty Images Bob Marley seen in London in 1977Getty ImagesBob Marley seen in London in 1977

The musician is one of the most celebrated and recognised artists in music history, with hits including No Woman No Cry, One Love, and Redemption Song.

Getty Images Bob Marley performs on stage in the NetherlandsGetty ImagesBob Marley performs at Houtrust Hallen in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1977 (above and below)Getty Images Bob Marley performs on stage in the NetherlandsGetty Images

His hit Buffalo Soldier was the singer's biggest in the UK, reaching number four in May 1983.

The 1977 album Exodus was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine.

Getty Images Bob Marley performing on stage in the US in 1979Getty ImagesBob Marley performing in the US in 1979

Marley was born in 1945 to a white middle class father and a black mother, in Jamaica.

His childhood was spent in poverty and he had little contact with his father, a naval officer who worked for the British government.

He left home at 14 years old to pursue a music career in Kingston.

In 1972, Marley arrived in Britain with his band The Wailers to tour with Johnny Nash in the hope of launching his international career.

Getty Images Bob Marley and The Wailers pose on steps in LondonGetty ImagesThe Wailers (Earl Lindo, Aston Barrett, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Carlton Barrett and Bunny Wailer) pose for a portrait in 1973 in London

The following year, The Wailers released their album Catch a Fire and made their television debut on the BBC.

The appearance made a big impact and gave them a wider audience outside of their traditional fan base.

Getty Images Bob Marley and the I-Threes perform together at the Rainbow Theatre in London in 1977Getty ImagesBob Marley and the I-Threes (Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths) perform together at the Rainbow Theatre in London in 1977Getty Images Bob Marley plays at a hotel in London in 1978Getty ImagesBob Marley plays at a hotel in London in 1978

After another tour in 1975, a recording of No Woman No Cry live at The Lyceum, London, was released as a single and gave Marley his first UK hit.

The singer entered the musical mainstream and became a household name.

Getty Images Bob Marley performs at the West Coast Rock Show at Ninian Park in Cardiff, Wales, in 1976Getty ImagesBob Marley performs at the West Coast Rock Show at Ninian Park in Cardiff, in 1976 (above and below)Getty Images Bob Marley performs at the West Coast Rock Show at Ninian Park in Cardiff, Wales, in 1976Getty Images

Marley was known for his Rastafarian faith, along with his wife, Rita, with the religion reflected in his music.

Getty Images Bob Marley sits at a table holding a penGetty ImagesBob Marley seen in 1979 in Hollywood Tower Records, California, US

The singer was also passionate about football and known for having a kickabout in between studio sessions or before he went on stage.

Alamy Bob Marley on a football field in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1980 with football player Paolo Cesar Caju and singer-songwriter Chico BuarqueAlamyBob Marley (centre) with football player Paolo Cesar Caju (left) and singer-songwriter Chico Buarque (right) on a football field in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1980

"I love music before I love football," he said in an interview in 1980.

"Playing football and singing is dangerous because the football gets very violent. I sing about peace, love and all of that stuff, and something might happen y'know.

"If a man tackle you hard it bring feelings of war."

Marley's last live performance in the UK was on 13 July 1980 at New Bingley Hall, Stafford.

Marley died the following year as a result of acral lentiginous melanoma, which he had been diagnosed with in 1977. He was buried in his Jamaican birthplace of the village Nine Mile.

Getty Images Bob Marley seen in 1978Getty ImagesBob Marley seen in 1978

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