Bob Marley was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was a pioneer of reggae music, a genre that fused elements of ska, rocksteady, and Rastafarian spirituality. His songs about peace and love resonated with millions of people around the world.
He achieved many honors and accolades for his music and activism, including the United Nations Peace Medal of the Third World. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and named as one of the greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. But how did Bob Marley die at such a young age?
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Bob Marley Suffered From Cancer
Bob Marley was diagnosed with a rare type of skin cancer called acral lentiginous melanoma, which primarily affects people with darker skin tones. The cancer originated from a wound on his right big toe, which he injured while playing soccer in 1977. He ignored the advice of doctors to amputate his toe, as it went against his Rastafarian faith.
Instead, Bob Marley opted for less invasive surgery to remove the nail and some tissue. However, the cancer was not completely eradicated and it spread to other parts of his body over the next few years. He continued to perform and record music, despite suffering from fatigue, weight loss, and pain.
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Bob Marley’s Final Moments And Death
In 1980, Bob Marley collapsed while he was jogging in New York’s Central Park. He was then diagnosed with a brain tumor and the doctors informed him that he had only months to live. He decided to seek alternative treatment in Germany, where he underwent a controversial regimen of diet, vitamins, and injections. He had also planned to perform a free concert in Zimbabwe to celebrate its independence, but he was too ill to make it. Bob Marley’s last public appearance was at a benefit concert in Pittsburgh on September 23, 1980.
In May 1981, Bob Marley’s condition worsened and he decided to fly back to Jamaica to spend his final days at home. However, he suffered a seizure on the flight and was rushed to a hospital in Miami, where he died on May 11, 1981. He was only 36 years old. Bob Marley’s funeral was a national event in Jamaica, attended by thousands of mourners and dignitaries. He was buried in his hometown of Nine Mile, with his guitar, a Bible, a soccer ball, and some marijuana. His legacy lives on through his music, his family and his fans.
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