Bob Marley was born 80 years ago today – and we can celebrate his life through these rare photos that show intimate moments and his on stage presence that millions of people still love to this day.
In 1975, after meeting Bob in London, Kate Simon gained unique access to the Wailers, capturing intensely personal moments and events. “I was in my 20s when I met Bob," Kate recalls. "We spent a lot of time together on the road and we developed a rapport, so he became comfortable with me photographing him, whether it was on the road, going through customs, live on stage or at home sitting in front of his house in Kingston."
The book Rebel Music presents over 400 photographs from Kate Simon's remarkable archive, most of which were published for the first time, some of which are shown here. In 1975, Kate Simon photographed Bob Marley and the Wailers at the Lyceum in London, where the now-legendary live performance of ‘No Woman No Cry’ was recorded.
Thereafter, they collaborated throughout the Seventies, with Simon shooting some of the most intimate, enduring and emblematic images ever taken of Marley, including his iconic Kaya album cover portrait.
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Kate Simon)Kate says: “While on the road with them, I often heard the Wailers say that they were on a mission. Their tour felt unlike any other tour; it felt like a charge of good energy. It was powerful.” Despite dying aged just 36, Bob was an inspiration to so many other musicians from all genres of music.
Born in Jamaica on February 6, 1945, he is considered one of the pioneers of reggae, with huge hits including No Woman No Cry, One Love and I Shot The Sheriff. Writing in the book Rolling Stone Keith Richards says: "Jamaica was bursting with talent and originality. Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Kenny Boothe and Eric Donaldson were everywhere. It reminded me of the atmosphere in '63 when The Beatles and The Stones were changing the face of pop music.
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Kate Simon)"No one will ever forget the impact Bob and Jamaican music had on the world." And Lenny Kravitz says: “Beyond category and boundaries, Bob Marley started a musical, spiritual, social and political revolution. He was raw. He was powerful. He was vulnerable. He was uniquely his own. He was a genius without pretence. He is legend.
"This collection of timeless photographs gives us an up close inside look at this uniquely complex man and brilliant iconic artist who forever changed the world. One love…” It is estimated that Bob has sales of more than 75 million records worldwide.
Photographer Kate perhaps sums up his legacy best in the book when she says: "Now when I think of Bob, I think of so many things. I think of how his music doesn't sound dated, how it is still current." He died in May 1981 from cancer but his music continues to live on.
Rebel Music: Bob Marley & Roots Reggae by Kate Simon is out now published by Genesis Publications
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