Bob Marley would be 75 years old today.
To celebrate the life and accomplishments of Robert Nesta Marley, here are a few highlights from my visit to his museum and former home on Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica.
This statue is the same height as Bob Marley stood in life. Not a tall man in stature, but a mighty man indeed in legacy: musical, cultural, familial, and entrepreneurial.
The house is a museum complete with restaurant, gift shop and theatre. There are no pictures allowed inside, but here are a couple of pictures taken outside on the grounds where photography is permitted.
Bob and his friends used to play soccer in this area in front of the house that is now a parking area for guests.
This is the front entrance to the museum, which is surrounded by murals.
Bob was a very spiritual person, and there are references to the Bible throughout his songs. Visitors to the museum see several of Bob's personal Bibles on display in his bedroom, and this verse from Psalms is included in one of the murals.
Song lyrics from one of Bob's songs "Three Little Birds." The Three Little Birds from the song were Bob's trio of female singers that accompanied him in his band: Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley (Bob's wife) and Marcia Griffiths, who I had the honor of meeting briefly during the trip.
Fruit trees grow all around the grounds, and were a big part of Bob's diet. He was a vegetarian for much of his life, and ate only pure foods considered to provide vital energy to his body. Rastafarians call their diet ital.
Here is the typical image of Bob Marley smoking a blunt. Ganja is commonly associated with Marley and Rastafarians in general; however, contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not legal in Jamaica.
Marley's music, his passion to serve and help his fellowman, and his ongoing legacy are proof that the man did a lot right in his life.
Over the past year, I have studied Marley and especially his fearless musical entrepreneurship that is still evident in his thriving family operated businesses today.
It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit with his Museum Administrators and for our group to get a private tour from Stephan (pictured with me in the mural photo), a talented Reggae musician in his own right.
You can read more about my adventures in Kingston, Jamaica on the Arts Envoy IPR landing page here.
Happy birthday to Bob Marley, Tuff Gong, rebel with a cause.
Visit the Bob Marley Museum website here.
