Bob Marley's Biography
NINE MILES
Robert Nesta Marley was born in Nine Miles, St Ann in Jamaica on February 6th 1945, of black mother Cédella Malcom and white father the captain Norval Marley. Cedella was the daughter of a significant coffee producer and Norval came from a rich family. However, the mother of Norval disinherited him after learning that he was engaged to the black Cedella. Norval Marley died of malaria when his son was just ten years old.
TRENCHTOWN
Bob left school at the age of 15. He was a quiet and soft pupil. Together with the son of his neighbour, Bunny Livingston, (who thereafter adopted the name: Bunny Wailer) they played on guitars manufactured with what they found. At his neigbors house, Bob had his first experience with ganga, "After I smoked a little of the grass, I started to understand the feeling it has in the music" he said some years later. Later on he became acquainted with Joe Higgs. Joe taught the teenagers with his knowledge of the ghetto, teaching them harmonies, the guitar and acting as a role model to them. Deprived of a father, Bob found a kind of father in Joe Higgs. During the meetings organized by Higgs, Bob and Bunny met Peter Tosh. They found him to be a good guitarist. They formed a trio, first with the name "The Teenagers", later "The Wailing Rudeboys", and finally ended up adopting "The Wailing Wailers". "To wail" meaning to groan which corresponds to the artistic orientation of the group, the music of those who suffer. In 1961, Marley obtained an audition thanks to one of his friends who also introduced him to Jimmy Cliff. He gets to record a single for the label of Lesley Kong. One month later the record: 'Judge Not' is released. The sales are negligible, but Bob is proud.
Homeless in the ghetto
As a result of the relationship between Bob's mother and the father of Bunny Livingston, his mother gave birth to a daughter, Perl. But a few months later, she marry's a Jamaïcain living in the United States. She decides to join him, leaving Bob and Perl to their aunt Enid. But Enid is tired of the ghetto and leaves taking Perl with her. Bob is left behind. At the age of 16 he became homeless. The lyrics of 'Talkin' Blues' speaks about the cold ground for a bed and only a stone for a pillow. During this time he met Rita Anderson who later became his wife. Bob received his rastafarian education from Motimer Planner, whom he met during his wandering period. The rastas do not shave, comb nor cut their hair. They adopt a diet without alcohol or salt which is composed of fruits, fish, vegetables and roots. On the other hand the consumption of marijuana is an essential crowned rite because it supports the meditation.
Bob Marley's house
Pubs
Bob, Bunny & Peter
Mortimer Planner
