Bob Marley, the legendary reggae musician, died this day, some 44 years ago – May 11, 1981, at just 36 years old.
His death was not only a huge loss to music but also surrounded by controversy.
In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with a dangerous type of skin cancer—melanoma—on his right big toe. The disease was already advanced by the time doctors found it. They recommended amputating the toe, but Marley refused. He believed it would affect his ability to perform, and his Rastafarian faith viewed amputation as going against God’s will.
Before the diagnosis, Marley had injured his toe playing soccer, which led to a false rumor that the cancer was caused by the injury. While the injury did cause an infection, the cancer had already been there.
Instead of surgery, Marley chose to have the nail removed and undergo a skin graft. He continued touring through the late 1970s, but his condition worsened. In 1980, he collapsed while jogging. Doctors then found the cancer had spread to his brain and lungs.
Marley spent time at a clinic in Germany that specialized in alternative treatments, but his health kept declining. He died in Miami, Florida, soon after flying back from Germany, due to complications from the cancer.
Although some view his death as preventable and link it to his religious beliefs, Bob Marley is remembered more for his music and the powerful impact he made. He was a key figure in popularizing reggae around the world, and his unique voice and songwriting have influenced countless artists.
Songs like “One Love,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” and “No Woman, No Cry” are still played worldwide. Marley is also one of the best-selling music artists in history, with around 75 million albums sold globally.
His legacy lives on through his family. Many of his children and grandchildren have become musicians themselves and continue to perform his songs today.
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