Garry Steckles, the author of
this book has written a wonderful biography of Bob Marley- one of the renowned
personalities from the Caribbean region who made his name on the global level.
On 6 February 1945 Nesta Robert Marley was born in rural Jamaica. His father
was a white man named Captain Norval Marley and his mother black named Cedella.
Nesta had a typical rural childhood where he engaged in working on the farms
and playing games. When Nesta was five year-olds he could read the palms of
people. To this his mother became very astonished.
Nesta moves to Kingston after
his father convinces his mother. Later it is discovered that Nesta does not
live with his father’s brother, as the captian had promised earlier. At the age
of ten Nest lost the father he really not knew. Cedella moves to Kingston
leaving her son Nesta under the care of her father Omeriah- who was happy to
have his grandson help him on the field. In 1957 Nesta joined his mother in
Kingston. His mother spent a tough time doing domestic jobs with low pay. For
the next couple of years, she and Nesta were virtual nomads, moving from rented
room to rented room.
Bob Marley later went to the
United States, but he could not bear the cold. He returned back to his native town
where he was happier. Bob Marley gained fame but initially this fame did not give
him the monetary return which he wanted. When Bob Marley got famous throughout
the world along with his band of musicians he developed differences with the
band manager. Reportedly, one of his managers stole large amounts of money from
his concert payments.
Marley popularized reggae music
throughout the world. His politically conscious lyrics and melody won him
millions of fans around the world. He was not only a popstar. Having strong attachment
to Rastafarian beliefs and practices he was a strong opponent of injustice. His
wholehearted support for the downtrodden and oppressed are shown in his songs.
Steckles has written about Bob
Marley’s early rural life in Jamaica, his recordings, performances and rise to
become a famous star throughout the world. Marley’s political and religious
beliefs are also briefly discussed. Moreover, his relationships with family
members, fellow musicians and other international figures are also mentioned.
The more money he earned the more he tried to distribute it. In Jamaica he distrusted
money among thousands of needy people on a regular basis, after listening to
their issues.
In the
second last chapter the issue of royalty of the songs of Bob Marley is
discussed. After his death there rose a series of legal cases in which very sad
incidents took place. Fabricated signatures of Bob were used by his closed
ones. Bob Marley was never so much attracted to material benefits. His whole
philosophy of life had different set of principles. His manager and many band
members were now busy contesting cases.
The concluding chapters of this
book mention the sad demise of Baob Marley at the young age of thirty-six. Furthermore,
it elaborates how the cancer developed in his foot and spread to his brain.
Marley was initially very careless with the injury and by the time he got
serious, it was unfortunately too late. In chapter eighteen Marley is quoted on
life, fame, music, politics, marijuana, Africa, race, religion, money,
mortality and poverty. Bob Marley says: “Me
don’t love fighting, but me don’t love wicked either… I guess I have a kinda
war thing in me. But is better to die fighting for freedom than to be a prisoner
all the days of your life”.
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