“He made his reggae music to uplift us, inform, entertain, inspire, and make change in the world. He’s a musician, a poet and songwriter, a philosopher, a soldier, an activist and a leader.”
– Cedella Marley {Bob Marley’s Mom}
Wednesday, February 6th has arrived and it is Bob Marley’s Birthday {I know a lot of people who would turn away from such a name, but little education means ignorance}. He would have been 68 today! Reggae fans everywhere are celebrating his short life and the impact he created. I know I am!
Bob Marley has made a huge change in the world, even more so after his passing in 1981 from a malignant melanoma. His compilation album Legend (1984), released three years after his death, is reggae’s best-selling album, going ten times Platinum which is also known as one Diamond in the U.S., and selling 25 million copies worldwide. He is proof that your life may end, but your name can still rise above and make a difference. His music and name has become well known world wide and such accomplishments were even breaking history after his death, such as these awards and honors:
- March 1994: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- 1999: Album of the Century for Exodus by Time Magazine.
- February 2001: A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- February 2001: Awarded Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2004: Rolling Stone ranked him No.11 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
- “One Love” named song of the millennium by BBC.
- Voted as one of the greatest lyricists of all time by a BBC poll.
- 2006: A blue plaque was unveiled at his first UK residence in Ridgmount Gardens, London, dedicated to him by Nubian Jak community trust and supported by Her Majesty’s Foreign Office.
- 2010: Catch a Fire inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (Reggae Album).
Little need be said about the artist and his legend he left behind. He spread the word about unity and loving the life you live, and living the life you love. He has engulfed the minds of the young and old, including me, to think outside of ourselves and have “One love, one heart, one destiny.”
Many powerful and influential men have walked this earth. He is among my favorites. Happy Birthday Bob!
“Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I’m not perfect
–and I don’t live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers…
make sure you hands are clean!”
― Bob Marley
Every Day In April 
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