Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley whic… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley which was later to be changed by passport officials to Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He was the most widely known writer and performer of Reggae, and more specifically Roots Reggae. He is famous for popularising the genre outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the spiritually wealthy rasta and/or spiritually powerful Jah Rastafari.

Starting out in 1963 with the group Bob Marley & The Wailers, he forged a distinctive song-writing and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide.

The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee Scratch Perry.

After The Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career which culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977 which established his worldwide reputation and became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million albums and singles.

Bob Marley was a member of this Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. Bob Marley became the leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene.

Now considered a "Rasta" prophet, Marley's adoption of the characteristic Rastafarian dreadlocks and famous use of marijuana as a sacred sacrament in the late sixties were an integral part of his persona. He is said to have entered every performance proclaiming the divinity of Jah Rastafari.

A few months before his death, Marley was baptised into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and took the name Berhane Selassie (meaning the Light of the Holy Trinity in Amharic).

His best known songs are a mixture of reggae, Roots Reggae, and rhythm and blues, which include:

I Shot the Sheriff
Exodus
Could You Be Loved
Redemption Song
No Woman, No Cry
Three Little Birds
Buffalo Soldier
Is This Love
One Love
Stir It Up
Jammin'
Get Up, Stand Up

His posthumous album Legend (1984) became the best-selling reggae album ever, with sales of more than 12 million copies.

Bob Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994; in December 1999, his album “Exodus” (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC.

Awards and Honors:

1976 - Rolling Stone Magazine's "Band of the Year"
1978 - United Nations' Peace Medal of the Third World
1981 - Jamaican Order of Merit
1994 - The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
1999 - Time Magazine's Best Album of the Century
2001 - Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2001- GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 - Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (#11)
2006 - The United Kingdom's "Blue Plaque"
2006 - Bob Marley Boulevard named in Brooklyn, New York
2010 - GRAMMY Hall Of Fame (Catch A Fire)
2012 - August the 7th, proclamed Bob Marley Day (Los Angeles)
2013 - GRAMMY Tribute Performance

Marley tragically died of cancer at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida on May 11, 1981.

Religion:
Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, (not rastafaranism as that is seen as a derogortory term as Rasta's don't like being refered to as an ism) whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae music in Jamaica. Rastas belive they are outcast from their native Zion and looked on Ethiopia as their real home and Tafarai Makonnen, who took the title Haile Sellasie I(Power of the Holy Trinity in Amharic), after he became the emperor of Ethiopia, as their leader. Rastas belive H.I.M. is Jesus in flesh. Rastas are considered to be black Jews.
Rastas claim their root from King Solomon and Abbysinian queen of Sheba, through lineage of their son Menelik, emperor of Abbysinia. H.I.M. is said to be a direct decendant of Menelik. 'Ras' means Head and 'Tafarai" means Creator. 'Jah' is the shortened form of the Hebrew word Jehovah. Rastas belive in one truth and that is the truth of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellasie I, King of kings, Lord of lords, conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, two hundred and twenty-fifth ruler of the three thousand year old Ethiopian empire, elect of Jah, Light of the world. Jah Rastafari live out. Rastas preach a non-materialistic, egalitarian way of life. Bob Marley became a leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene. Bob Marley was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica on November 4, 1980.

Diet:
Marley's diet was ital; fruit, vegetables and fish; which is food approved by the Rastafari movement.

Family:
Bob Marley had 13 children: three with his wife Rita Marley, two adopted from Rita's previous relationships, and the remaining eight with separate women.

His children are, in order of birth:
Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963, to Cheryl Murray;
Sharon, born November 23, 1964, to Rita in previous relationship;
Cedella born August 23, 1967, to Rita;
David "Ziggy Marley", born October 17, 1968, to Rita;
Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972, to Rita;
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972, to Pat Williams;
Rohan, born May 19, 1972, to Janet Hunt;
Karen, born 1973 to Janet Bowen;
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974; according to Cedella Booker she was the daughter of Rita and a man called Ital with whom Rita had an affair; nonetheless she was acknowledged as Bob's daughter;
Julian Marley, born June 4, 1975, to Lucy Pounder;
Ky-Mani Marley, born February 26, 1976, to Anita Belnavis;
Damian Marley, born July 21, 1978, to Cindy Breakspeare;
Makeda, born May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton.

See here for comedian Bob Marley the comedian: Comedian Bob Marley

Riding High
Bob Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You've been riding
You've been riding quite a while, child (keep on riding, keep on riding)
You've been jiving
Like a peacock, that's your style (keep on jiving), ooh (keep on jiving)

Now I remember the days in school
There wasn't a time when you didn't treat me cruel
Oh, wait till I get my hooks on you

I'll show you what a fisherman can do

You're riding
You been riding quite a while, child (keep on riding, keep on riding)
You've been jiving
Like a peacock, that's your style (keep on jiving), ooh-wee (keep on jiving) I say now,

You always try to hurt me in the end
In the presence of all our good, good friends
But the patient man always win
Now I'll just wait till you give in

You've been riding
You've been riding quite a while (keep on riding), keep on, ride (keep on riding)
You've been jiving
Like a peacock, that's your style (keep on jivin'), ooh-wee, alright (on jiving)

At christmas, more like an easter bunny
Just like a rabbit, you're always on the run
But wait till I get my trap on you
I'll see where you gonna run to
Wait till I get my trap on you
Then I'll see where you gonna run to

You've been riding
You've been riding quite a while (keep on riding), keep on, ride (keep on riding)
You've been jiving
Like a peacock, that's your style (keep on jiving), ooh-wee (keep on jiving)

(So riding on my own) I need your love tonight
(Riding on my own) a-when you hold me right

Overall Meaning

In Riding High, Bob Marley sings about a person he knows who has been living life on their own terms. This person has been riding and jiving, exuding confidence and flair like a peacock. Marley recalls times from their school days when this same person mistreated him, but he is patient and chooses not to retaliate. Marley sings that ultimately, patience is what wins, and he will wait until this person gives in.

The lyrics in Riding High suggest that Marley is referring to an individual's lifestyle, personality, and the way they approach life. By painting his character as someone who is "riding high" and "jiving like a peacock," Marley conveys a sense of admiration and respect for this person who is confident and free-spirited. Despite the individual's past mistreatment of Marley, he shows admirable restraint and patience.

Bob Marley's Riding High is a beautiful and powerful song that tells a story and highlights a particular attitude towards life. It is a beautiful example of Marley's songwriting talent and his ability to weave simple words into beautiful and meaningful messages.

Line by Line Meaning

You've been riding
You have been pushing forward with your life

You've been riding quite a while, child (keep on riding, keep on riding)
You have been working hard for a long time and you should keep pushing forward

You've been jiving
You have been dancing through life

Like a peacock, that's your style (keep on jiving), ooh (keep on jiving)
You have been showing off like a peacock and you should keep being confident

Now I remember the days in school
I remember a time from our past

There wasn't a time when you didn't treat me cruel
You were always mean to me

Oh, wait till I get my hooks on you
Just wait until I have a chance to get even with you

I'll show you what a fisherman can do
I will show you how I can catch you like a fish

You always try to hurt me in the end
You consistently try to cause me pain

In the presence of all our good, good friends
You try to hurt me even when we are around our mutual friends

But the patient man always win
But someone who is patient will ultimately come out on top

Now I'll just wait till you give in
So I will sit back and wait for you to give up

At christmas, more like an easter bunny
Around the holidays you act skittish and elusive like the Easter Bunny

Just like a rabbit, you're always on the run
You're always avoiding me like a rabbit runs from its predators