History of Bob Marley in Timeline
Robert Nesta Marley, a Jamaican singer-songwriter-guitarist, is considered a pioneer of reggae music. He blended elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, creating a unique vocal and songwriting style. Marley brought Jamaican music to the global stage, becoming a prominent figure in popular culture and a Rastafarian icon. His music often carried spiritual undertones. Recognized as a global symbol of Jamaican music, culture, and identity, Marley sparked controversy with his open support for democratic social reforms and the legalization of cannabis, while also advocating for Pan-Africanism.
1937: Marcus Garvey's influential speech
Marcus Garvey delivered a speech in 1937 in Nova Scotia, which would later influence Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."
February 1945: Birth of Bob Marley
Bob Marley was born in February 1945 in Nine Mile, Jamaica, to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Malcolm. His father was a white Jamaican originally from Clarendon Parish and considerably older than his mother, who was an Afro-Jamaican.
February 1945: Birth of Bob Marley
Bob Marley was born in February 1945 in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Malcolm.
February 1962: First Recordings
In February 1962, Bob Marley recorded four songs: "Judge Not", "One Cup of Coffee", "Do You Still Love Me?", and "Terror" at Federal Studios.
1963: Formation of the Teenagers/Wailers
Bob Marley formed the group the Teenagers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, which would later evolve into the Wailers, in 1963.
1963: Formation of The Wailers
Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh formed the group that would eventually become known as The Wailers in 1963.
February 1964: Release of "Simmer Down"
The Wailers released "Simmer Down", which became a Jamaican No. 1 hit, in February 1964.
1965: Release of "One Love"
The Wailers released their debut album, featuring the hit single "One Love", in 1965.
February 1966: Marriage to Rita Anderson
Bob Marley married Rita Anderson in Kingston, Jamaica, in February 1966.
1966: Conversion to Rastafari and Cannabis Use
Bob Marley converted to the Rastafari faith from Catholicism in 1966 and began using cannabis, which Rastafarians consider an aid to meditation.
1966: Marriage and Move to the US
Bob Marley married Rita Anderson and briefly moved to Wilmington, Delaware, in the United States, in 1966, working various jobs under an alias.
1966: Wailers Core Trio
The Wailers solidified as a trio consisting of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh in 1966.
1968: Early Recordings and Experimentation
In 1968, Bob Marley and Rita Marley visited songwriter Jimmy Norman in the Bronx, resulting in a 24-minute tape of Marley experimenting with pop-influenced sounds, including doo-wop and slow love song styles. During this period, between 1968 and 1972, the Wailers also re-recorded older tracks with JAD Records in an attempt to commercialize their sound.
1968: Arrest for Cannabis Possession
In 1968, Bob Marley was arrested for possession of cannabis, but he continued using it in accordance with his religious beliefs.
1969: Shift to Reggae Sound
Bob Marley collaborated with producer Leslie Kong, contributing to the development of the reggae sound, in 1969. The resulting recordings were released as "The Best of The Wailers".
1971: Release of "The Best of The Wailers"
The Wailers released the album "The Best of The Wailers" in 1971, marking a shift in their musical style.
1972: Signing with CBS Records and Meeting Chris Blackwell
In 1972, Bob Marley signed with CBS Records and toured the UK with Johnny Nash. He also had a significant meeting with Chris Blackwell of Island Records, leading to an offer for the Wailers to record an album, ultimately shaping their future career.
1972: Signing with Island Records and Recording "Catch a Fire"
In 1972, a meeting with Chris Blackwell resulted in the Wailers signing with Island Records and receiving an advance to record their album "Catch a Fire". Blackwell saw in Marley the potential to introduce reggae to a wider rock audience.
April 1973: Release of "Catch a Fire"
"Catch a Fire", the Wailers' first album for Island Records, was released worldwide in April 1973, packaged like a rock record. Though initial sales were modest, it marked the beginning of their international journey and garnered positive critical attention.
1973: International Attention
Bob Marley and the Wailers gained international attention after signing to Island Records and touring in support of their albums "Catch a Fire" and "Burnin'" in 1973.
September 1974: Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff" Hits Number 1
In September 1974, Eric Clapton's cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, boosting Marley's international recognition significantly.
1974: Release of "Natty Dread"
Bob Marley released the critically acclaimed album "Natty Dread" in 1974.
1974: The Wailers Disband
The Wailers disbanded in 1974, with each member, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, pursuing solo careers.
1975: International Breakthrough
Bob Marley achieved his international breakthrough with the hit "No Woman, No Cry" in 1975.
1975: International Breakthrough with "No Woman, No Cry"
In 1975, Bob Marley achieved his first international hit with a live version of "No Woman, No Cry", from the album "Live!". This marked a significant turning point in his career, expanding his reach far beyond Jamaica.
December 1976: Shooting and Smile Jamaica Concert
In December 1976, two days before the "Smile Jamaica" concert, Bob Marley, Rita Marley, and manager Don Taylor were wounded in a shooting. Despite his injuries, Marley performed at the concert, intended to promote peace amidst political tensions.
1976: Self-Imposed Exile in England
At the end of 1976, Bob Marley left Jamaica and spent two years in self-imposed exile in England, where he focused on recovering and writing new material.
1976: Release of "Rastaman Vibration" and Assassination Attempt
Bob Marley released the album "Rastaman Vibration" and survived an assassination attempt in Jamaica in 1976.
1976: Release of "Rastaman Vibration"
Bob Marley's album "Rastaman Vibration" was released in 1976 and reached the Top 50 of the Billboard Soul Charts, marking his breakthrough in the US market.
1976: Release of "War"
Bob Marley's song "War", released in 1976, expressed his strong stance against apartheid in South Africa.
June 1977: Live Performances at the Rainbow Theatre
From June 1st-4th, 1977, Bob Marley and the Wailers performed at the Rainbow Theatre in London. These concerts were captured in a BBC documentary.
July 1977: Melanoma Diagnosis
In July 1977, Bob Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma, a type of malignant melanoma found under the nail of his right big toe.
1977: Diagnosis and Relocation
Bob Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma and relocated to London in 1977.
1978: Release of "Exodus" and "Kaya", One Love Peace Concert, and Arrest
Bob Marley released the successful albums "Exodus" and "Kaya" in 1978 while in England. He then returned to Jamaica and performed at the One Love Peace Concert, bringing together political rivals. During this period, he was also arrested for cannabis possession.
1978: Ossie Ardiles joins Tottenham Hotspur
Bob Marley's favourite football player Ossie Ardiles joins Tottenham Hotspur in 1978, marking the beginning of a decade-long career there.
1978: Release of "Babylon by Bus"
The double live album "Babylon by Bus" was released in 1978 under the name Bob Marley and the Wailers, capturing the energy of Marley's live shows and garnering critical praise.
July 1979: Amandla Festival Performance
In July 1979, Bob Marley performed at the Amandla Festival in Boston, showcasing his opposition to South African apartheid.
May 1980: Release of "Uprising" and European Tour
Bob Marley's album "Uprising" was released in May 1980. The band completed a major European tour, including their biggest concert at Milan's San Siro stadium.
July 1980: Last Outdoor Concert
In July 1980, Bob Marley played his final outdoor concert at Dublin's Dalymount Park.
September 1980: Collapse and Cancer Spread
Bob Marley collapsed while jogging in Central Park in September 1980. It was discovered that his cancer had spread to his brain, lungs, and liver. His last concert took place two days later in Pittsburgh.
November 1980: Conversion and Baptism
In November 1980, shortly before his death, Bob Marley converted to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and was baptized Berhane Selassie by Archbishop Abuna Yesehaq. His wife, Rita, and their children were present.
1980: Release of "Uprising"
In 1980, Bob Marley released "Uprising", his final studio album during his lifetime, featuring religious tracks like "Redemption Song" and "Forever Loving Jah".
1980: Rejection of Amputation and Continued Touring
In 1980, despite his melanoma diagnosis, Bob Marley rejected amputation and continued touring while scheduling a world tour.
1980: Zimbabwe Independence Day Invitation
In early 1980, Bob Marley was invited to perform at Zimbabwe's Independence Day celebrations, a testament to his influence and political impact.
May 1981: Death of Bob Marley
In May 1981, Bob Marley died shortly after being baptized into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
May 1981: Death
On May 11, 1981, at age 36, Bob Marley died in Miami, Florida, due to the spread of melanoma. His final words to his son Ziggy were: "On your way up, take me up. On your way down, don't let me down."
May 1981: State Funeral
Bob Marley's state funeral took place in Jamaica in May 1981, incorporating elements of Ethiopian Orthodoxy and Rastafari tradition.
May 1981: Death of Bob Marley
Bob Marley passed away in May 1981.
1983: Posthumous Release of "Confrontation"
"Confrontation", an album of unreleased material recorded during Bob Marley's lifetime, was released posthumously in 1983, featuring the hit "Buffalo Soldier".
1984: Release of "Legend"
The greatest hits album "Legend" was released in 1984, becoming the best-selling reggae album of all time.
1994: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Bob Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
2006: "Bob Marley Boulevard" in Brooklyn
In 2006, a portion of Church Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, was co-named "Bob Marley Boulevard."
2007: Reference in "I Am Legend"
Bob Marley is referenced and his music is featured in the 2007 film "I Am Legend."
February 2008: Scorsese Announces Documentary
Martin Scorsese announced plans to produce a documentary about Bob Marley in February 2008, intended for release on Marley's 65th birthday.
2008: Statue in Serbia
A statue of Bob Marley was unveiled in Banatski Sokolac, Serbia, in 2008.
February 2010: Planned Release Date
The planned release date of the Scorsese produced documentary which ended up being dropped was February 2010 to coincide with Marley's 65th Birthday.
2011: "Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend" Premiere
The documentary "Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend," by Esther Anderson and Gian Godoy, premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2011.
April 2012: Release of "Marley" Documentary
The documentary "Marley," directed by Kevin Macdonald, was released in April 2012 after Scorsese and Demme dropped out.
2012: Release of "Marley" Documentary
The documentary "Marley," directed by Kevin Macdonald, was released in 2012, including rare photographs from Marley's final concert.
October 2015: Marlon James Wins Man Booker Prize
In October 2015, Marlon James won the Man Booker Prize for his novel, "A Brief History of Seven Killings," a fictionalized account of the attempted assassination of Bob Marley.
February 2020: Bob Marley Musical Announced
In February 2020, the musical "Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical" was announced, featuring Arinzé Kene as Bob Marley.
October 2021: Bob Marley Musical Premieres
The musical "Get Up, Stand Up!" premiered in London in October 2021 after a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
February 2024: Bob Marley: One Love Film Released
The biographical musical film "Bob Marley: One Love," starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, was released in the United States in February 2024.