More than four decades after his death, Bob Marley is still reggae's greatest ambassador. In February 2026 Kingston marked what would have been his 81st birthday with celebrations at the Bob Marley Museum and a tribute concert, and his songs of love, unity and resistance remain on playlists all over the world.
Here's the story of the boy from Nine Mile who took Jamaican music global. You'll find tribute designs for him and other greats in our music collection.
Bob Marley Fact File
| Full name | Robert Nesta Marley |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 February 1945, Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica |
| Died | 11 May 1981, Miami, Florida (aged 36) |
| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, guitarist |
| Years active | 1962–1980 |
| Genres | Reggae, ska, rocksteady |
| Band | Bob Marley and the Wailers |
Career History
| Years | Band/Label | Key albums/singles |
|---|---|---|
| 1963–1972 | The Wailers (various Jamaican labels) | Early ska and rocksteady singles with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer |
| 1973–1974 | Island Records | Catch a Fire, Burnin', Natty Dread |
| 1976–1978 | Island / Tuff Gong | Rastaman Vibration, Exodus (UK No. 8), Kaya (UK No. 4); "Is This Love" (UK No. 9) |
| 1979–1980 | Island / Tuff Gong | Survival, Uprising (UK No. 6); "Could You Be Loved" (UK No. 5) |
| 1984 | Island Records | Legend compilation: UK No. 1, US No. 5 |
UK peaks are Official Charts positions. Legend, released three years after his death, has spent well over 1,000 weeks on the UK albums chart.
From Nine Mile to Trenchtown
Robert Nesta Marley was born in the rural village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish before moving to Kingston as a boy. There he formed The Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, recording ska and rocksteady singles through the 1960s.
In 1970 the group set up their own label, Tuff Gong, and in 1972 they signed with Chris Blackwell's Island Records.
Celebrate the legend with our Bob Marley Men's Hoodie.
Island Records and Exodus
Catch a Fire (1973) introduced the Wailers to rock audiences, and by the mid-1970s Marley was an international star. Exodus (1977), recorded largely in London, delivered classics such as "Jamming" and "Three Little Birds". In 1999 Time magazine named it the best album of the 20th century.
"No Woman, No Cry", "Is This Love" and "Could You Be Loved" became UK hits, and Legend went on to become the best-selling reggae album of all time.
Keep it easy-going in our Bob Marley Men's T-Shirt.
One Love: Music and Unity
On 22 April 1978, at the One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, Marley brought rival political leaders Michael Manley and Edward Seaga on stage and joined their hands. Two years later he performed at Zimbabwe's independence celebrations at the invitation of the new government. Marley died in Miami on 11 May 1981, aged 36. The 2024 biopic Bob Marley: One Love, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, took around $180 million worldwide.
Honour the band with our Bob Marley And The Wailers Music Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Awards
Halls of Fame
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994)
- Exodus inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2006)
Honours
- Jamaican Order of Merit (1981)
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2001)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2001)
Away From the Spotlight
Marley loved football and played whenever he could, even on tour; in 2025 a green plaque was unveiled in Battersea Park, London, where he used to play. His former home at 56 Hope Road, Kingston, opened as the Bob Marley Museum in 1986.
FAQs
What was Bob Marley's real name?
His full name was Robert Nesta Marley.
Where was Bob Marley born?
He was born in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, on 6 February 1945.
How old was Bob Marley when he died?
He was 36. He died in Miami on 11 May 1981.
What is Bob Marley's best-selling album?
Legend, the 1984 compilation, is widely described as the best-selling reggae album of all time. It reached No. 1 in the UK and is certified 18× Platinum in the US.
Who were the original Wailers?
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer formed the core of the original group.
Is there a Bob Marley film?
Yes. Bob Marley: One Love (2024) stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley and was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.
Shop the Bob Marley Collection
Our fan-designed Bob Marley tribute pieces are printed to order on comfortable hoodies and tees.
Bob Marley Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Bob Marley Men's T-Shirt
£29.99
Discover more legends in our music collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Michael Jackson: The King of Pop, His Albums and His Legacy and The Beatles: The Fab Four's Albums, Story and Legacy.
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