They formed Bob Marley & The Wailers in 1963 with Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, and Cherry Smith, going by a couple of names before settling on the Wailers. This put Bob and Bunny under one roof, where their musical exploration gained new traction. Marley’s mother and Livingston’s father began dating at some point during their friendship - the pair were eventually married and had a daughter together. While attending Stepney Primary and Junior High School, Marley met Neville Livingston, soon to be known as Bunny Wailer, and the two began playing music together. Early musicĭuring this period, Marley took notice of the fast, horn-driven ska movement that was also prominent in Jamaica at the time. After this event, Rastafari were randomly arrested and hassled by government officials, which led to unrest throughout the community. This would be Jamaica’s first Treason/ Felony case since the law was made in 1869, the men were executed. After much violence and attacks from both sides, Reynold Henry, son of Rev Claudius Henry, Al Thomas William Jeter and Howard Rollins, all United States nationals and members of the US Marines, were taken into custody for treason. By 1960, Rastafari reverend Claudius was accused of writing to Fidel Castro and plotting a revolution. When shopkeepers were beaten for their Rastafarian beliefs, the neighbors revolted against the law. Rastafarians use cannabis as a religious sacrament, and police used possession as an entrance to beating, kidnapping, and even shaving the heads of religious practitioners that they came across.Īfter years of this persecution, violent eruptions and riots ensued. Norval died of a heart attack when Bob was just 10 years old Norval was 70.Īt this same time, the Rastafarian movement, started in 1931 and influenced by Ethiopianism and promoting Pan-Africanism, was becoming increasingly prominent on the island as Rastafarians were being persecuted by Jamaican police. After his birth, Bob rarely saw his father but Marley did support Bob and Cedella financially. Norval Marley was a white man originally from Sussex who was managing a plantation. Life in Jamaicaīob Marley was born Februin Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica to Cedella Malcolm and Norval Marley. For Bob Marley, using ganja was a way to connect to Jah, not just a way to socialize with friends. While posters of his face have become a prominent piece of cannabis’s party culture, however, Marley’s cannabis use was spiritual. In his life’s journey, Marley became entwined with Rastafarianism and as such, ritual cannabis use. He grew up in Trench Town, Jamaica and eventually his music spread throughout the world.
BOB MARLEY GANJA INTERVIEW SERIES
In celebrating 4/20 this month, we are highlighting heroes of the cannabis movement in a series of profile pieces so far, we have discussed Dennis Peron, Baba Dam Rass, and Brownie Mary Rathbun.īob Marley is a household name and, despite his original claim to fame, he has become more than just a legendary musician - he is simply a legend.