Known for his revolutionary lyrics, that targeted racism, bigotry, persecution of blacks and gender inequality.
Bob Marley (#ad) inspired a whole new generation of Afro-Americans to stand up against the inhumane racist laws of the 60s America.
A pioneer of the anti-racist movement, he was literally worshiped by his fans wherever he went.
If you don’t know Bob Marley, chances are, you have never listened to reggae music nor read about the American Civil Rights Movement launched by Martin Luther King Jr.
He was a man well known for being content and believing in Jah. He never believed in money or being famous.
To Bob, happiness has nothing to do with money, because if you believe that money brings happiness, your search for happiness will never end, because money is all about numbers and numbers don’t end.
Pick any Jamaican at random and they will recite Bob Marley’s songs and quotes like he still exists.
Like the saying, ‘The brightest stars burn the fastest’ , Bob Marley passed away at 36, leaving behind a legacy, that won’t be replaced till eternity.
He was such a private person and nothing much was known of him, given below are some of the hidden facts of this musical genius:
1. Smoking Marijuana Frees the Soul
To Bob, smoking marijuana frees the soul and he smoked it religiously.
Bob believed that smoking marijuana makes you one with nature. It unites you with nature and makes you whole.
According to Bob, the Cannabis herb has the power to cure anything from headache to cancer.
He never understood why it was illegal in some countries, as it came from the ground and hence pure.
2. He was Half White
Most of his fans until today don’t know that Bob was half white.
His mother was a local 19-year-old Jamaican girl called Cedella and his father was Norval Sinclair Marley a 50 year old British Naval captain.
Bob Marley was hence born bi-racial and his father was never part of his life, growing up.
3. He Never Considered Himself White or Jamaican
Bob Marley detested the white people to an extent despite being sired by one.
He also didn’t associate himself with his homeland Jamaica.
Instead, he considered himself to be an African and sang so many songs about Africa and colonization.
4. Unknown Number of Children
Bob Nesta Marley had so many children such that no one knew the exact number.
The last confirmed number was eleven but it’s believed by many people who knew him that the number of his children could well be double that.
5. Strict Rastafarian
Bob Marley was born and raised as a Catholic, but he converted to Rastafarianism when he became an adult.
He was a strict Rastafarian, such that he couldn’t eat meat and he grew his hair to dreadlocks, as was his religion.
He followed Rastafarian to the letter.
6. Money Cannot Buy Life
On his deathbed, Marley called his son Iggy Marley and told him, “Money cannot buy life” then he died.
He could have been treated but his religion restricted him from getting treatment for cancer.
7. He Refused Cancer Treatment
Bob Marley refused to get treatment for cancer even with all the money he had.
The cancer spread to his lungs, stomach and liver and on May 11 1981, he died.
8. Born Whole Died Whole
Bob’s cancer was first diagnosed on one of his toes.
It was at an early stage and if the toe was amputated, he wouldn’t have died.
However, Bob was a strict Rastafarian and he said he was born whole and he will die whole and the cancer spread.
9. Some Thought He was a Girl
As shocking as it is, Bob changed his name to confirm his masculinity.
He was born Nesta Robert Marley but he swapped his names to Bob Marley as people thought Nesta was a girl’s name.
10. Palm Reader
From the tender age of four, Bob could read palms.
Bob’s mother didn’t believe it, but she was shaken when he did it in her presence.
When he was older, he stopped reading palms and focused on singing.
11. He Almost Died Once
Bob dropped out of school and became an apprentice welder.
An accident happened and a metal flew into his eye and injured him badly, he almost died and he decided to leave that field.
12. Arrested for Possession
Bob was arrested for possession of his precious “herb” like he used to call it and he spent a month in prison.
In prison, he met so many prisoners that he became friends with and they inspired him to sing songs with strong political messages.
13. The Wailers Too Famous
He had a band The Wailers and they were once fired from a tour.
Apparently, the band was too famous as compared to the act they opened for.
14. Beat Up His Friend
Bob Marley was famous for a long time, yet he had no cash.
He later learned that the reason for this was because his friend and manager Don Taylor was stealing from him and he almost beat him to death and fired him.
15. Almost Assassinated
Bob survived an armed assassination attempt on his life and two days after he was shot, he took the stage and performed for free. More than 80,000 people attended the free concert.
16. Professional Soccer Player
Did you know that Bob was a professional level soccer player? He loved playing soccer and even recorded videos playing.
17. Used to Work at Chrysler Automobile Plants
Bob got married and moved to the United States where he worked at DuPont and Chrysler plants.
