Bob Marley
Robert Nesta Marley
1945 - 1981

In 1979 the album ”Survival” was relased, an album that reflected his concern with African solidarity and independence; a concern that had grown in him since his earlier visit to Africa. In April that year, Marley was invited to play at the ceremonies marking the official independence of the new nation Zimbabwe. While awaiting a change of flights in Nairobi, Marley got a message from Prince Charles of Great Britain, who was also on his way to Zimbabwe. The Prince wanted to meat with Marley while they were waiting. Marley responded: ”The Prince want for see me, him have for come here to me.”

In 1980, Bob Marley and The Wailers went on the ”Tuff gong uprising world tour”, which at the time became the biggest concert attraction in Europe´s history. They had a new album out called ”Uprising”, which included the lovely song ”Redemtion song”, the last track on that album. But Bob was getting tired, worn out after the shows, like he never had before. At the American leg of the tour, Bob went for a jog in Central Park with some friends on the September 21th. After only a short distance he collappsed, and soon later physicians were consulted.

The cancer from Marley´s toe had spread throughout his body, and he now had an inoperable braintumour, and he was estimated to live for only two or three more weeks. He continued the tour and played his lats gig in Pittsburgh, where the last song was ”Redemtion song”. The last song on the album, and the last song he ever played at a concert.

About eight months later, on May 11th 1981, at the age of only 36 years old - as he had foreseen himself - Bob Marley died in Miami. An era was over…

An estimated one million people – virtually half the island´s population at the time, attended Marley´s funeral in Jamaica. Bob Marley´s body was layed to rest in a simple mausoleum next to where he grew up in Nine Miles…

Wherever you are old Rastaman, may you rest in peace and harmony. Your music and legacy lives on, and will keep on living for generations to come. Peace…

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