An Unparalleled Look into Bob Marley’s Extraordinary Life and Ambitions
By: Phil Akre
It’s often difficult to look through the fog in the search for a fallen star’s legacy. Such is the case with Bob Marley, the larger than life Jamaican icon who strived for far more than musical success.
There are so many, somewhat unfair, entities that often get aligned with his image. The common ones are obvious - marijuana and the red, green and yellow colors of the Rastafari religion. They’re unfair in the sense that Marley, who died aged 36 in 1981, stood for something much bigger than music. He was quite possibly the most unique superstar of the 20th century, if not all-time.
His story, along with his music, will stand the test of time. Certain stars are remembered for their contribution to a certain genre, or pop culture. Legends, though, live forever. Bob Marley is one of the rare figures who will have affected not only pop culture and his respective genres (reggae), but that of an entire global conscious.
There’s so much he packed into 36 short years of his life, that it appears a cumbersome task in dissecting it all. That’s why Roger Steffens’ Oral History of the Rasta icon is so impactful - you really feel like you get to know Marley for who he really was, told by the people who surrounded him throughout his entire life.
Steffens’ may be the author, but he is far from the one telling the story. Rather, he serves as the moderator of a 400+ page conversation between Marley’s family members, the Wailers band and his closest associates, among others. Rarely does Steffens’ interject his personal thoughts on the matter, though when he does, it is passionate.
The style of writing is particularly enjoyable to read. It packs a far greater punch than a straightforward telling would do. Though, there are a handful of fantastic Marley biographies. We hear from original Wailers legends, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. We learn from his two loves, Rita Marley and Cindy Breakspeare.
Each and every interviewee offers their opinions and recollections of pivotal moments in Marley’s life, like the Smile Jamaica concert and the discovery of his fatal Cancer. There’s an undeniable authenticity to the book, and it’s certainly powerful in its moments.
One thing Steffens’ telling makes clear is a sad realization - Marley died at the peak of his powers. By 1977, he was a bonafide worldwide superstar. He was filling arenas, embarking on massive tours in Europe and around the globe while spreading Reggae. It didn’t hurt that he had released his masterpiece, Exodus, to international acclaim. Sadly, however, Melanoma would soon begin to weaken Marley, who was on the verge of becoming one of the most powerful and influential artists of the 1980’s.
Where there is sadness in Marley’s fall, there is an unmistaken feeling of respect that forms between the reader and Marley’s life. Casual fans and newcomers to his music can gain an entirely new perspective of the icon, what he stood for and why he matters more than ever. There are so many stories we hear from various people who worked with Bob, and they provide a true glimpse into Marley’s personal life.
While the book may be a long read, it’s worth every single page. Even the casual Marley fan would feel rewarded for learning so much about the icon who, after years of merchandise and record sales, is often remembered for the wrong associations.
The text proves more than ever - there may never be another one like Marley again.
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Phil is currently a senior at Quinnipiac University where he studies advertising and integrated communications with a journalism minor. You can find him on twitter here.