TRIBUTE
The man and his music
SHAJI CHENNAI
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A tribute to the inspirational Bob Marley in the 25th year of his death.
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Compassionate voice: Bob Marley sang for peace and unity.
PRASATH YUVANESAN is a Malaysian Tamil. He has long black curly hair falling in matted locks. He wears green, yellow, red bands as wristlets. His T-shirts proclaim, "In Bob I trust" or just display marijuana leaves and portraits of Bob Marley with his flying dreadlocks.
Prasath is not a Bob Marley fan. He is a devotee of a god called Bob Marley. His eyes brighten, as he says emotionally, "Bob is there for me and he will take care of everything." He is one among Malaysia's lakhs of Bob Marley devotees.
What is reggae?
Bob Marley was the first international superstar in music to emerge from the Third World. Reggae was the style sculpted by him and today it is an important genre like rock. His reggae became the liberation song of oppressed people the world over. Reggae combines the finer points of Jamaican tribal and folk music and American Calypso and Rhythm and Blues. It has a well-defined beat structure with a constant back beat named "skank" played on the rhythm guitar. The typical bass guitar patterns lend reggae a distinct sound and depth. While other music styles make us realise our singular identity, reggae moves us to be with the masses. Its beat attunes us to dance in blissful selflessness.
Born in poverty and degradation, Marley rose to be one of the most influential personalities of the 20th century. He was born in Jamaica in a scenic hill village called Nine Miles but was brought up in the dirty slums of Kingston, the Jamaican capital. Marley was born on February 6, 1945 to Norwell Sinclair Marley and Cedella Booker. His father — a 50-plus white British military officer — abandoned his wife — a black native Jamaican teenager — as soon as Marley was born. When Marley was five, the family migrated to Kingston. Marley left school at 14 to be trained as a welder, but after two years, started concentrating on music. In 1962, at the age of 16, he recorded and released two songs but they flopped. He formed his band "Wailers" with Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh in 1965.
In 1966 he married Rita Anderson and the day after his marriage, he left for the U.S. to make some money. After various odd jobs, he returned to Jamaica with some money. In 1970, the Wailers' first music album "Soul Rebel" was released. In 1971, British music label Island Records, offered him £8000 for a new album. England's best recording studios opened their doors to the Wailers, and Island Records widely publicised their "Catch a fire" album. A grand tour of England, important shows in London's Speakeasy, performances and interviews on BBC radio and television attracted the attention of rock critics and music lovers.
Beginning with a grand show at Max Kansas Club, New York, with an introduction by rock star Bruce Springsteen, the Wailers performed successfully in the U.S. Island Records immediately released their next album, "Burnin". The band was renamed "Bob Marley and the Wailers". But this brought heartburn. Tosh and Livingston quit the band since they felt that Marley cornered all the credit and glory.
Grand show
In July 1975 the new Wailers performed two grand shows in London's Lyceum. The live version of the song "No woman, no cry" was recorded during this show. Rolling Stones magazine ranked Marley's next show in Los Angeles as one of the major music events that reconstructed Rock `n' Roll and named Wailers as the `Band of the year'. By 1976 Marley swept through the U.S. like a tidal wave. He became the moral voice of anti-war movements and anger against social inequity in America.
Many international music stars and bands adopted Marley's songs. Among them, Eric Clapton's "I shot the sheriff" ranked first in the U.S.'s Top 10. Stevie Wonder's version of Marley's "Jammin" and "Redemption song" became very popular. Boney M's disco version of "No woman, no cry" was also popular.
When he returned to Jamaica, Marley was a national hero. But some politicians feared his popularity. Marley planned a show, "Smile Jamaica", in Kingston during the Jamaican general elections.
There was an assassination attempt on December 3, 1976. There was speculation that the opposition party was responsible, since they feared the event would work against them in the elections. However, Marley, with two bullet wounds, still performed in the event.
All for peace
Marley had clear political views and religious beliefs. He was a firm believer in Rastafari. Worldwide, millions embraced this religion moved by Marley's magnetism. In his songs, Marley stressed peace and unity. In April 1978, Marley performed "One Love: Peace Concert" in Kingston's National Arena — an event of reconciliation between Jamaica's political groups. Marley appeared on stage with two political rivals Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.
In September 1977, Marley was diagnosed with cancer on his toe, described in the press as an injury suffered while playing football. Doctors recommended amputation but since Rastafari did not allow surgery, Marley refused it. He undertook a pilgrimage to Ethiopia, the holy land of Rastafari and was invited by Zimbabwe to perform during its Independence celebrations.
In 1980, his health deteriorated. The cancer had spread. But Marley continued his tours. In September he performed in Pittsburg but he was in great pain. A number of shows had to be cancelled. He was awarded the Order of Merit, Jamaica's highest honour. He fought for his life for eight painful months.
The end came on May 11, 1981, when he was just 36. Millions paid a tearful farewell to their hero when his funeral was held in Kingston on May 23, 1981.
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