On this day in 1981, legendary reggae musician, Robert Nesta Marley died. Marley died on May 11, 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, now University of Miami Hospital at age 36.
Before his death, the musician who once described himself as a revolutionary was a Pan-Africanist. He advocated vigorously for unity among African countries. Many of his songs – Zimbabwe, Exodus, Survival, Blackman Redemption, and Redemption Song, Buffalo Soldiers etc – carry the unmistakable theme of Pan-Africanism.
Like many on the continent, Bob Marley believed in the use of herbs to complement orthodox medicine. That probably led to his choice of Issels treatment for the cancer that eventually took his life. He also described marijuana which he used publicly as herb which aids meditation.
Here is one of his rare interview where he discussed why Africans and people of the world generally should be united no matter where they come from.
Interview was done by Michael Stefanowski in Munich, Germany, on May 15, 1977 on his Exodus Tour.
