A Biography of Bob Marley

At this time of year our thoughts are spent dreaming about the warm weather. The winter can seem very long. The short days and cold dark nights add to an often depressing state of mind. Spring arrives in just a few weeks and with it brings new life, warmth and sunshine. The days get longer and the nights are much more delightful. There is a certain buzz that accompanies. There are also various things that are synonymous with this season; the winding down of the school year, children playing at the playground, riding around with your window down, and my favorite springtime music. But not just any type of music, reggae music. Now if I were to ask you to name one person associated with this type of music I am sure many would be able to give one name. That name is Bob Marley. The goal is this speech will be to inform you about both the life and music of one music’s greatest figures.

Bob Marley born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945 in the town of Nine Miles in the parish of St Ann, Jamaica. His father, Norval Sinclair Marley, was an English marine officer and his mother, Cedella Malcom, was a native Jamaican from the town of Rhoden Hall. Soon after Bob was born his father left his mother but remained a part of Bob’s life. When Bob was five he moved with his father to Kingston. One year later Bob reunited with his mother and soon moved to West-Kingston also known as Trench Town so his mother could find work.. Growing up in Trench Town was rough. There was extreme poverty as many people struggled to find jobs. In order to escape the harsh reality of life Bob looked to music. He enjoyed the music of Ray Charles and Fats Domino and a new type of music ska, which was invented by Jamaican musicians. By the time he was 16 he longed to record an album. Jimmy Cliff, a local musician who was only 14 yo at the time, had already made a few hit singles and introduced Bob Marley to producer Lesley Kong. He made his first single Judge Not in 1961. He follwed this song with the song One More Cup of Coffee but neither did well and he never received a paycheck for his work..