Learn how Bob Marley transformed from humble beginnings as child in one of the poorest areas of Jamaica to international superstar. John Masouri, author of Simmer Down: Marley-Tosh-Livingston is a renowned reggae historian and tells us how Marley became synonymous with an innovative new music form called reggae, and political activism that defended disenfranchised people globally. You’ll learn:

-About the incredible age difference of Bob's white father and his black mother and how their relationship led to Bob's subsequent challenges as a mixed race child in Jamaica
-How reggae was not Bob's first music genre of choice
-Learn how reggae was created from American R'n'B and several other forms melded together
-Why an assassination attempt was made on Bob’s life and led to gunshot wounds
-The international royal figure that led to Bob discovering the Rastafarian religion and its dreadlock look
-Which of Bob's musical accomplishments TIME magazine listed as the best music of the 20th Century

Bob Marley is an international superstar who has reached the top of the musical and political worlds. Incredibly, he has won a UN humanitarian award for his political efforts and one of his albums was voted the best album of the 20th Century.

But his incredibly productive life did not begin this way. Nor did his music career begin with reggae. To hear more about Bob Marley's surprising and uplifting story, listen to this engaging episode to understand how and why he achieved his international superstar status.

Guest Bio
John Masouri is a distinguished reggae historian and the author of several books on the genre including the definitive text on Bob Marley's life Simmer Down: Marley-Tosh-Livingston. John is a highly acclaimed author and music journalist specializing in reggae and dancehall genres for more than 35 years. John's work has appeared in Music Week, The Guardian Observer and New Musical Express (NME).

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