Bob Marley's Coolest Throwback Photos

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981), of Bob Marley and the Wailers, 31st May 1973 — Bob Marley. Photo:
Michael Putland/Getty

Bob Marley is inarguably one of the most influential figures to come out of Jamaica.

The reggae artist — who rose to prominence with songs such as "I Shot the Sheriff," "Could You Be Loved" and "No Woman, No Cry," among many other hits — was a humble, fearless and passionately critical ambassador of his beloved country, and his fans loved him for it.

Tragically, Marley died on May 11, 1981, following a melanoma diagnosis. He was 36.

On what would have been his 79th birthday — and as his biopic Bob Marley: One Love hits theaters — take a look at some of the musician's coolest throwback pictures.

01 of 10

Bob Marley's Early Days

Bob Marley, 1972, Jamaica — Bob Marley and The Wailers.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Bob Marley was born in Nine Mile, Jamaica, on Feb. 6, 1945.

In 1963, Marley, along with his childhood friends Bunny Wailer (born Neville Livingston) and Peter Tosh, formed the band The Wailers and released their first, eponymous body of work the following year.

02 of 10

Feeling the Music

Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) , the singer, guitarist and composer of reggae music in concert, 1974 — Bob Marley on stage.
Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty

The Wailers got their big break in 1972 when they signed to Island Records. The band's name would later change to Bob Marley and The Wailers.

03 of 10

Making Hits

Bob Marley and The Wailers walk down an alley to the stage door behind the Odeon, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 18 July 1975 — Bob Marley and The Wailers.
Ian Dickson/Redferns

Marley and the Wailers released nine studio albums under Island Records and saw their star rise exponentially.

Above, the band is pictured walking down an alley to the stage door behind the Odeon in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1975.

04 of 10

In the Prime of Youth

A 28-year-old Marley, is pictured before he started growing out his locs.

05 of 10

Making an Impact

Bob Marley performs on stage at Crystal Palace Bowl on June 7th, 1980 — Bob Marley.
Pete Still/Redferns

A Rastafarian, Marley donned a green, yellow and red jacket while performing at Crystal Palace Bowl in London in June 1980.

06 of 10

Cooler Than Ever

Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley (1945-1981) posed by the canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1976 — Bob Marley.
Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

The suave "Could You Be Loved" singer, pictured rocking bell bottoms while posing by a canal in Amsterdam.

07 of 10

Music Man

Jamaican Reggae musician, songwriter, and singer Bob Marley performs on stage, in a concert at Grona Lund, Stockholm, Sweden. — Bob Marley.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Marley donned a denim shirt and passionately sang to fans in Sweden in this undated shot.

08 of 10

Of the People

Bob Marley signing at 1979 Tower Records Sunset store appearance — Bob Marley.
Chris Walter/WireImage

Marley smiled and interacted with fans while signing autographs at the Tower Records Sunset store in West Hollywood in 1979.

09 of 10

In Conversation

Bob Marley at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, 1976 — Bob Marley.
Bobby Bank/WireImage

The cool guy gave serious side-eye while chatting with someone off camera in New York City in 1976.

10 of 10

Legacy Lives On

Jamaican Reggae musician Bob Marley — Bob Marley.
Allan Tannenbaum/Getty

On Feb. 14, 2024, Paramount Pictures will release Bob Marley: One Love. The film, which stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the singer and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita Marley, chronicles the life and struggles of the beloved musician.

The film is produced by his children Ziggy and Cedella, as well as his widow.