Bob Marley Book

Fittingly for one who would offer his "songs of freedom" as redemption for Jamaica's black "sufferers," Bob Marley's mixed ancestry embodied his homeland's tormented colonial past. Born Nesta Robert Marley in St. Ann, Jamaica, in 1945, Marley was the son of a British naval officer - a member of the ruling class - and a black teenage girl. Growing up with his mother in rural Jamaica, Marley was well acquainted with the harsh life of poverty endured by native blacks, and at a very early age began expressing through music his sadness and hope for a better life. By the time of his death at age 36, Marley was known as "The Prophet," the most revered figure in Africa and Jamaica and a political and spiritual hero to the rest of the world. His unique lyrical message, a powerful mix of peace and rebellion founded in his Rastafari faith, combined with the hypnotic rhythm of the Jamaican-based music called reggae, had catapulted Marley into international superstardom and transformed him into an enduring legend who continues to inspire fans of all ages and backgrounds.