January 25, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Remembering a reggae legend
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, January 25, Graphic News:  As the 60th anniversary of his birth approaches on February 6, Bob Marley is still revered not only as a musical genius whose songs about the struggle of life in Jamaica brought reggae to the four corners of the world, but also as a latter-day prophet who inspired fans and followers through his personal philosophy and spiritual quest.

It would therefore be unfortunate if a battle were to ensue over the final resting place of MarleyÕs remains. According to a recent report in the Jamaican Gleaner, his widow Rita wants to exhume the remains -- at present buried in his birthplace -- and re-inter them in Ethiopia whose Rastafarian faith Marley embraced. The plan is likely to ignite debate since Marley is regarded as a Jamaican national hero, the paper noted.

Born in 1945 in St AnnÕs Parish in Nine Miles, Jamaica, Robert Nesta Marley was the son of a middle-aged white father and a black teenaged mother. His band, the Wailers, had an instant hit at home with their first single, Simmer Down. International success came after the group teamed up with producer Lee Perry in 1969 -- by which time the Wailers had embraced Rastafarianism and dreadlocks after a 1966 visit by Haile Selassie.

In 1972 the Wailers were signed to the Island label and their debut album Catch a Fire brought Marley international attention. By now it was clear that his music had a place in the mainstream and reggae hits including No Woman, No Cry and I Shot the Sheriff went on to become classics that transcended the apparent appeal of their genre.

At home Marley was becoming revered as a prophet with the power to forge peace. But, after Prime Minister Michael Manley arranged for the Wailers to play a free concert on polling day in 1976, the musician and his family were attacked by gunmen opposed to the government. In 1978 his One Love Concert to celebrate a truce between two warring factions earned the musician a United Nations peace medal.

Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981 but remains one of musicÕs best loved and most respected figures. Eric Clapton, who had a hit with I Shot the Sheriff in 1974, summed him up as: Òa great lyric writer, a musical genius, and a great leader of men.Ó
/ENDS