Bob Marley would have been 75 today

In these turbulent, divided times, Bob Marley We miss him. We miss him because behind the legendary artist shone a unifying force that spoke to both the oppressed and the oppressors. We miss him because he was, above all, a pacifist revolutionary. We miss him because he championed unity, the emancipation of African peoples, solidarity among peoples, and love for one’s neighbor.

All we have left today is his immense musical legacy, his vinyl records, concert videos, and photos.

Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945. He would have turned 75 today, but he died 29 years ago from melanoma. In 1980, he released Redemption Song, one of the songs that best reveals the singer’s soul, and which resonates strangely with global protests.

As a tribute, Universal released a special music video, directed by French artist Octave Marsal, in collaboration with Cedella Marley, who manages the estate branded by Bob Marley.

This new music video from Redemption Song  will be followed by other events throughout the year. In May, Ziggy and Stephen Marley will headline the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, California, and pay tribute to Bob.

In France, Alexandre Grondeau, author of «Génération H,» has published a book on the universal appeal of Bob Marley as a hero (available, among other places, on Amazon). In his usual style, he portrays a well-rounded artist, a profound human being, a lover, and a Rastafarian. And he reminds us that Bob Marley’s legacy has now been largely distorted by everything he feared, with rampant capitalism at the top of the list.

If Robert Nesta were still with us, we’d have a lot of questions to ask him—about what’s happening right now, the rumblings of revolt, and ways to unite people and help them resist and fight. He’d surely end up reassuring us and telling us that everything will be all right in the end..

Jah! Rastafari!