Jamaican PM hails ‘timeless’ Bob Marley on what would have been 80th birthday

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has led tributes to Bob Marley on what would have been his 80th birthday, describing him as “timeless”. The 52-year-old was speaking on a livestream of the Uprising 80 birthday concert celebrating the reggae star, an annual event which sees a number of performances and tributes in his honour. Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Holness described Marley as a “legend” and said he had released “timeless music”.

He said: “Through his music, he transcended boundaries, uniting people across cultures and nations while spreading an unyielding message of peace, love and self-reliance. “This year’s theme, Uprising, carries profound significance, it reflects Marley’s indomitable spirit and his courage to rise above challenges, and inspire others to do the same. “It is especially fitting that his timeless song, Could You Be Loved, from the Uprising album, has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.

“This remarkable milestone affirms the enduring power of his artistry and the universal resonance of his message as we reflect on his unparalleled legacy, let us draw inspiration from his unwavering commitment to equality, compassion and understanding. “May his words, ‘get up, stand up, stand up for your rights’, continue to guide us as we work towards a world that holds dignity and justice for all today.

“As we honour Bob Marley’s far-reaching impact, I encourage all Jamaicans to embrace the values he championed, of peace, resilience and love. “By doing so, we ensure that his legacy endures, inspiring generations yet to come, keeping his light alive in the hearts of everyone. “I say happy birthday to Bob, may his brilliance forever illuminate the path towards a better, more harmonious world.”.

Also paying tribute during the celebrations was former Big Audio Dynamite member and BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Don Letts, who told a story about when Marley saw him wearing punk clothes. The 69-year-old said: “Bob came into my life when I needed him, I was lucky enough to see him play his legendary live show at the Lyceum in London in 1975. “I walked out of that gig a changed man, so much so that I jumped in my car and followed the band’s coach back to their hotel.

“Next thing you know, I’m sitting in Bob’s living room watching him reason with the UK rasta elders. “After he out-reasoned and out-smoked everyone, he looked around the room and saw me sitting there with a little bag of weed, but it was good weed, so we made a connection. “Fast-forward to London, 1977, I went round to collect some money he owed me wearing punk rock clothes, and Bob exclaimed, ‘Don Letts is way out dude, you look like one of them nasty bloodclaat punk rocker’.

“Now, Bob had been reading the tabloid press, and they painted a very negative view of the movement, I stood my ground and defended my friends as like-minded rebels. “Three months later, a better-informed Bob was moved to write the song Punky Reggae Party.”. Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley also paid tribute as part of the event, saying her father would have been “so overjoyed that his words of freedom, love and unity are being sung by so many beautiful young voices 50 years after he wrote them”.

The singer died aged 36 in 1981 after being diagnosed with skin cancer. Marley is recognised as one of the pioneers of the reggae genre and is credited with playing a key role in expanding its popularity outside of its native Jamaica. During his lifetime, the artist achieved eight UK top 10 singles and eight UK top 10 albums, with his best-known tracks including Three Little Birds, Stir It Up and No Woman, No Cry.