Bob Marley The Legend – His legacy live on 

Image Credit: Bob Marley Organization

Born in 1945 in the hills of St. Anne, Jamaica, he later moved from one of the island’s most economically depressed regions to an area adjacent to what was then considered King’s House, a district largely reserved at the time for diplomats, expatriates, and the social elite. Robert Ester Marley known as Bob Marley, was a very humble but focused young man to those who knew him.  I personally have had the pleasure of meeting with Rita Marley, his wife, and other musical icons in Jamaica who have worked with him.  They will all tell you it was nothing but love & respect for humanity shown by Bob to all.

Remembering Bob Marley and his life in Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica, is what is most significant to his legacy, in my opinion.  Trenchtown was a hard place to live.  It was a ghetto that had some of the most violent uprisings in Jamaica’s history due to poverty and lack of employment.  From this oppressed environment, Bob Marley at a young age did not see his environment he was in and his music reflects that.

One Love speaks eloquently of this – a musical chant that reverberates throughout the world and adopted by so many still through today.  ‘No Woman No Cry’ song was directly written for Rita Marley and it gives us a glimpse of what his daily routine in the ghetto of Trenchtown was like.  Listening to that song one would be drawn to the beat and the emotions that run through that song.  However, what Bob has done for those who might not recognize it, is to lay out his personal & intimate conversations with Rita Marley.  The feelings and the emotions of a father who is doing everything he can to provide for his family, and the struggles he had on a day-to-day basis.  Listening to this song again would give you a greater appreciation of what was happening at the time.

Bob Marley was seen as a ‘half cast’ because his father was a white Englishman and mother was African Jamaican.  So he was seen as not really accepted by the blacks and not accepted by the whites.  I am sure this was a burden at Bob’s early age, but this did not stop him from pursuing his writing skills for music in his own little way as well as his determination to put a message to his music which has stood the test of time today.  One such message is So Jah Said – Not One Of My Seed Should Sit In The Sidewalk And Beg Your Bread.   How do you explain living in a place where the houses have zinc roofs and sides and leaks when it rains?  One toilet for 50 people.  One spot for running water for 500 people.  One outside shower stall that has rusted zinc for privacy and one communal outdoor kitchen with no coverings.  When it rains, you are outta luck for your meal.  How do you explain the mind of a young Bob to boldly write that song, and put music to it – which today, decades after his death, not one of Bob Marley’s childrens’ children will ever beg bread. 

This is what I believe – he has left us with a road map for every generation, every nationality, every culture, who has had a hard-done-by life who have had to live in a depressed environment,  to never see where you are currently but to focus on where you want to be and never give up despite the odds, and be ‘Unrelenting’ in your pursuit for your gold, happiness, aspirations, happiness.  This is something I take heart to which is depicted in my book.  As someone who has had the pleasure of organizing the Bob Marley Day Celebration for seven years – I want to say thanks to that young Chrissy Troy who was the M.C. at the first event, and Ace Burpee & Chrissy who were M.C.’g at our 3rd event at the old Whiskey Dix on Main Street.

Bob’s music, messages, and way of life lives on!  The one thing that I was happy I did – I spoke to Rita Marley and Chris Blackwell (Bob’s manager) is that Bob was never about personal wealth.  It was never about accumulating untold material wealth, but more about empowering others to see themselves worthy of achieving the ultimate goal of satisfaction, which is unity, peace, love, togetherness – One Love.  His legacy will continue through his children and countless others for generations to come.  Happy Earthstrong Day Bob!