Tuesday, May 10, 2011

In Memoriam: Bob Marley

On tomorrow's date exactly 30 years ago, Bob Marley died at the age of 36, succumbing to cancer.  I was 8 months old.  Today, Legend, the posthumous collection of the musician's work is Diamond Platinum (having gone Platinum ten times in the U.S. and selling over 25 million copies world-wide.)  There are very few voices in music, past or present, who can even begin to shed the same emotions as Marley did in his short lifetime.  This classless and world-embracing music has followed me my entire life and will live far beyond myself for even more generations to come with messages of peace, hope, and revolution.  There is so much to still be learned from this one man's lyrics if we only open our hearts, ears, and minds...


"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery-
None but ourselves can free our minds."
-"Redemption Song"

"We're sick and tired of your ism-skism game -
Die and go to heaven in Jesus' name, Lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty God is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (What you gonna do?),
We gonna stand up for our rights!"
This portrait will be featured tomorrow on Rock Star Martyr with an article from my buddy Joebot on Bob Marley for the anniversary of his death.  Be sure to drop by, bookmark him, and check out his articles for which I've been composing portraits of music icons.


18 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 10, 2011

    I love it!

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  2. I was lead here by your comments on the WSJ. Great stuff, I feel very much the same about our old brother. I have a gift of sharing my birthday with Bob, Feb. 6th. I'm just much younger. Bob will live forever as an legend. Thanks!

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  3. Nick WoodMay 10, 2011

    This is your best portrait yet!

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  4. I like ur blog a lot and have bookmarked this page too.

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  5. Nice work Brandt! My life has also been greatly influenced by Brother Bob. I was blessed to see him perform here in Cleveland back in 1978. From that point on all I wanted to do was play reggae music and lift spirits with that vibration, and I continue to do so to this very day. Here is how I paid tribute to the Prophet through song - http://soundcloud.com/losplus/torchbearer. Just thought I'd share my art with you as you have with others.
    One Love,
    Carlos Jones
    www.carlosjones.com

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  6. Carlos- I absolutely love the song brother! Thanks so much for sharing your music- stay creative!

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  7. The music Bob Marley created has more meaning than any other. He brought the struggles of the black man into the living rooms of white people at a time of oppression and inequality. His music will out-live all of us. The great man broke down racial barriers. Great article dude!

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    Replies
    1. MLK, my father, and Bob liberated me from my conditioned racial beliefs.

      We were borned within two months of one another I being the oldest.Yet the younger man closed the case.

      I know Jah is bringing Bob when He comes with His reward--mine would be just to know he was right! Thanks for forever Bob! Wake and go home with Jah!

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    2. Thanks for such a wonderful comment Captain!

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  8. Hey Brandt, those are some really cool visuals. I put some links up to this post, and the Jerry & Janis posts, on blog & FB pages.

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  9. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comment. I have moved around a lot throughout my time and Bob's music has always been the one constant that has helped me push through hard times. I just adore it. I agree with you, there is so much to learn from his lyrics every time I hear the music I always marvel at the message even though I have listened to it for years and years.

    Your art is beautiful, thanks for sharing it with us.

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    Replies
    1. Bob has always put many things which are beyond words into words. Thanks for the wonderful thoughts gal!

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  10. Nice word nice portret!

    from the Netherlands

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