Bob Marley was a legendary Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. He formed the band The Wailing Wailers in 1963 and they gained international success after signing with Island Records in 1972. Marley became the first international superstar from the Third World after selling over 20 million records. He died of cancer in Miami, Florida in 1981 at the age of 36.

1. Bob Marley. .

2. … He was born on February 6, 1945, in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. In 1963, Marley and his friends formed the Wailing Wailers. The Wailers got their big break in 1972 when they landed a contract with Island Records. He has sold more than 20 million records, making him the first international superstar to emerge from the so-called Third World. He died in Miami, Florida, on May 11, 1981.

3. Abouthislive. For a time in the late 1960s, Marley worked with pop singer Johnny Nash. Nash scored a hit with Marley's song, "Stir It Up," around the world. The Wailers also worked with producer Lee Perry during this era and some of their successful songs together included "Trench Town Rock," "Soul Rebel," and "Four Hundred Years." The Wailers added two new members in 1970 — Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass and his brother Carlton "Carlie" Barrett on drums. The next year, Marley spent time with Johnny Nash in Sweden to work on a movie soundtrack.

4. Death and Memorial Traveling to Europe, Bob Marley underwent unconventional treatment in Germany. He was able to fight off the cancer for months. But as it became clear that he did not have much longer to live, Marley tried to return to his beloved Jamaica one last time. He was not able to finish the journey, dying in Miami, Florida, on May 11, 1981. Shortly before his death, Marley had received the Order of Merit from the Jamaican government. He had also been awarded the Medal of Peace from the United Nations in 1980. Adored by the people of Jamaica, Marley was given a hero's sendoff. More than 30,000 people paid their respects to him while his body was lying in state at the National Arena. As a part of his memorial service, his wife Rita, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt sang and the Wailers played.