Bob Marley

 Robert Nesta Marley O.M. (6 February 1945 until 11 May 1981; born in 1980, christened in the name of Berhane Selassie) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Considered one of the original pioneers of reggae music, his career was marked by fusing elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady, as well with his distinct singing and songwriting style. Marley's contributions to music increased the visibility of Jamaican music across the globe and helped make Marley a prominent celebrity in popular culture to the present day.Over the time, Marley became known as a Rastafari legend, and blended his music with a sense of spirituality. Marley is also an emblem of Jamaican culture and identity. He was criticized because of his support for democratic social reforms. [citation needed] In 1976, Marley survived an assassination attempt on his home, which was thought to be motivated by politics. Marley also favored legalization of marijuana, and was a strong advocate for Pan-Africanism. He was born in Nine Mile, Jamaica in 1963. After forming the Teenagers in 1963, the group was formed by Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Bunny Wailer and subsequently renamed the Teenagers to be the Wailers. The group released its debut album, The Wailing Wailers in 1965, which contained the single "One Love", a reworking of "People Get Ready" The song became well-loved throughout the world, and established the group as an emerging star in reggae. The Wailers also released eleven additional studio albums. Following their signing with Island Records, the band's name was changed to Bob Marley and the Wailers. Although they initially employed louder instruments and vocals they began to engage in rhythmic-based song construction in the latter half of the 1960s and early 1970s, which was also the time of Marley's transition to Rastafari. At this point, Marley relocated to London and the group was able to demonstrate their shift in music through the release of their album The Best of The Wailers (1971) The group began to attract attention from the world after signing to Island and touring for the release of albums Catch a Fire and Burnin' (both 1973). Marley continued to tour under the Wailers name for the following year. [11] The album Natty Dread (1974) received favorable reviews. After Eric Clapton's performance of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff", [11The album was a huge success. Marley made his international debut in 1975 with "No Woman No Cry" Live version of the Live! album. [13] His breakthrough album in America called Rastaman Vibration (1976), followed. Marley was assassinated at his Jamaican home, just two months later, prompting his move to London. The album was recorded by Exodus (1977) during the time the band was living in London. It contained elements of blues , soul and British rock. The album enjoyed wide commercial and critical success. Marley was diagnosed in 1977 with acral-lentiginous melanomas. He died shortly after being baptized in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Marley's fans all over the world expressed their sadness and he was given a state funeral in Jamaica.