The Honourable Bob Marley plaque
Date of Installation: October 2006
Location: 34 Ridgmount Gardens, Camden, London WC1E
Plaque: Blue
Bob Marley, a Rasatafari Icon, a global superstar, was one of Jamaica’s most famous musicians. As a pioneer of reggae, Marley's contributions to music brought Jamaican music centre stage, and he was a major cultural figure for over a decade, and like so much of the Jamaican diaspora, Marley made the UK his home in the seventies. In October 2006, the Nubian Jak Community Trust in partnership with the Lord Mayor installed a blue plaque to Robert Nesta Marley at 34 Ridgmount Gardens, Camden, London WC1E where he lived when he first moved to London in 1971. The NJCT did this in partnership with the Mayor of London and it was the first commemorative event organised by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, as well as being County Hall’s first ever blue plaque. The installation of the Bob Marley plaque was filmed as a feature for a 90-minute Arena documentary aired on BBC1the following October called ''Bob Marley: Exodus 77. Watch on left.
Born in Nine Mile, British Jamaica, Marley began his professional musical career in 1963, after forming Bob Marley and the Wailers. The group released its debut studio album The Wailing Wailers in 1965, and subsequently released eleven further studio albums. Bob Marley moved to London after the group had released their album The Best of The Wailers (1971). The Wailers released Catch a Fire and Burnin' (both 1973), and forged a reputation as touring artists. Marley released his solo material under the band's name. His debut studio album Natty Dread (1974) received positive reception, as did its follow-up Rastaman Vibration (1976). A few months after the album's release Marley survived an assassination attempt at his home in Jamaica, which prompted him to permanently relocate to London. During his time in London he recorded the album Exodus (1977); it incorporated elements of blues, soul, and British rock and enjoyed widespread commercial and critical success. In 2019, English Heritage honoured Marley with a blue plaque at the London house he lived at when he finished recording Exodus at 42 Oakley Street, in Chelsea.
In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma; he died as a result of the illness in 1981. His fans around the world expressed their grief, and he received a state funeral in Jamaica. The greatest hits album Legend was released in 1984, and became the best-selling reggae album of all time.
Marley ranks as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of more than 75 million records worldwide. He was posthumously honored by Jamaica soon after his death with a designated Order of Merit by his nation. In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 11 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
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