Remembering Bob Marley: The Rastafarian who brought reggae to worldwide fame

Robert Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in Saint Ann Parish in Jamaica. Popularly known as Bob Marley, he is still considered to be one of the legendary musicians in the 1970s.

The most famous songwriter in the genre of reggae music, his songs are still on the top of most playlists. Moreover, his Rastafarian lifestyle has inspired youths toward simple living. He died on May 11 in the year 1981.

Here are 11 amazing facts about Robert Nesta 'Bob' Marley:

1. Marley was the son of a British Naval Officer Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Malcolm.

2. He was christened as Nesta Robert Marley, but a Jamaican passport officer mistakenly reversed his first and middle name; hence, his official name became Robert Nesta Marley.

3. Marley started his singing with a vocal harmony group with Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Beverley Kelso, and Junior Braithwaite. Joe Higgs, who was part of the successful vocal act, Higgs and Wilson.

4. Joe Higgs helped Marley improve his singing abilities.

5. Marley recorded his first four songs at the Federal Studio in Jamaica. These songs were 'Judge Not', 'One Cup of Coffee', 'Do You Still Love Me?' and 'Terror.' However, 'One Cup of Coffee' was released under the pseudonym, Bobby Martell.

6. In 1963, Marley had formed a band called 'The Teenagers' with Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith. They later changed the name to 'The Wailing Rudeboys' and then, to 'The Wailing Wailers.'

7. The band joined hands with record producer Coxsone Dodd. They produced a single track named 'Simmer Down' that was rated as Jamaican No.1. 'The Wailing Wailors' again changed their name to 'The Wailers.'

8. Marley's songs became an instant hit in the United States within a few years. In 1972, Marley signed a contract with CBS Records, London, and went on his first tour with American soul singer Johnny Nash.

9. It was during this tour that Marley got acquainted with the staff members of Island Records, one of the largest record producers in the world. His songs became a worldwide hit.

10. Bob Marley is an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His song 'One Love' was named the song of the millennium by BBC.

11. Marley was a Rastafarian, which is a religion founded in Jamaica in the 1930s. The Rastafarians follow the coronation of Haile Selassie I as the Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930. They worship him as their Jesus.

WATCH: Bob Marley denounces money, celebrates life

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