- Title: USA/JAMAICA: 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF BOB MARLEY
- Date: 1st May 2001
- Summary: (LOS ANGLES, CALIFORNIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) WIDE OF CROWD AT UNVEILING CEREMONY OF HOLLYWOOD STAR
- Embargoed: 16th May 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NINE MILE/ KINGSTON, JAMAICA/ LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAEJJZ4PV0WLPDPN7PA7TCG91F2
- Story Text: Friday May 11th, marks the 20th anniversary of the death of one of the century's greatest musicians, Bob Marley.
The legendary performer died of cancer in 1981at the age of 36 in Miami, Florida. Reuters takes a look at the legacy of the man responsible for bringing reggae music to the world.
High in the Dry Harbour Mountains of Jamaica, in a little village called Nine Mile, lies the resting place of the Caribbean nation's unofficial favourite son, Robert Nesta Marley. Villagers, many of whom claim to have grown up with the Reggae legend, still honour Marley to this day.
As the 20th Anniversary of his death quickly approaches, remarkably, his presence, in Nine Mile, in Jamaica and the world, has perhaps never been greater.
"He's one of the few artists whose popularity has increased after his death." says Garth White, Music History Professor at the University of the West Indies.
"His legacy is probably larger than ever- you know - and continues to grow," says Chris Blackwell, Founder of Island records.
Jamaica's culture and Marley's legacy are seemingly forever intertwined. Marley spent his youth in the countryside and city, absorbing both cultures. The music star embraced, popularized and helped develop a way of life that was uniquely Jamaican- from the music he played, to the religion he practiced, Rastafarianism, to the way he dressed and wore his hair.
When Marley was 12 years old he moved here to Trench Town- one of Jamaica's poorest and toughest neighbourhoods.
Songs written here made him an international superstar and a prophet of the people.
It's impossible to turn around without feeling Marley's presence in Trench Town. Everywhere you look.
there's a mural bearing the likeness of the man locals affectionately call "Bob".
At the tip of Trench Town, in the Government Yard where Marley spent much of his formative years, there's a culture yard where many local artists gather. Visitors who brave the trip into the dangerous neighborhood can see the small cramped room where Marley slept and played music.
When locals are asked about Marley, there's a passionate response.
Those words of respect aren't surprising. When Marley was alive, he would help out many of Kingston's poor. The Bob Marley Foundation, a charitable organization born out of the Reggae star's estate, continues his work in Jamaica, supporting cultural centers like the one in trenchtown.
Admiration for Marley certainly isn't restricted to Jamaica.
There are few parts of the world where Marley's music isn't played regularly. He continues to outsell any other Reggae artist in the world and his sales numbers continue to climb.
Those numbers have prompted Island Records to re-release eighteen of Marley's records over the next year.
Chris Blackwell, the former head of Island Record, and the man responsible for signing Bob Marley to the label, says Marley's music is eternal.
"His music will be around forever. Mozart's music - Mozart still influencing people, that was 400 years ago," says Blackwell.
Countless musician's have covered Marley's songs from Eric Clapton to Barbra Streisand. From Lauryn Hill to Dave Matthews.
Almost all of the world's pop musician's are some how influenced and inspired by Marley.
"You can hear his music in anything today. There's only 12 notes and 26 letters. But, he's an innovator and we carry him with us to this day," says musician and producer David Foster.
"Not only was he a musician and a singer. He was a very brave man who took a stand and fought for the rights of people- for human beings and that's what it's all about," says singer Erykah Badu.
Marley's children have tried to taken up their father's musical mantle... most notably Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. While the group has had some international success, their sales numbers are pale in comparison.
Despite all of his contributions and successes, some say Marley's legacy is far from perfect. Marley fathered children out of his marriage with his wife Rita. As a result, wranglings over his estate have been going on for years. And then, of course, there is his advocacy for the legalization of Marijuana.
But for the vast majority, all that matters is the music.
Marley's influence on that front in Jamaica and the world is undeniable. And his legacy lives on, even 20 years after his death.
"His records continue to sell he is by far and away the most well known artist from Jamaica and If he continues at this rate. He is going to be on par with the Beatles and Elvis in terms of sales,"says White.
"He's always in everybody's mind. He's kind omnipresent.
He's kind of like a demi-god. Everybody just loves him," says Foster.
"He's been a role model for oppressed people around the world. He's really taken that mantle. Quite naturally he's been sort of honoured with it. It wasn't something he looked for. It just happened, says Chris Blackwell.
"If you are not helping somebody are you worthy of living you know. That's how Bob makes me feel," says Erykah Badu. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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