Bob Marley.Photo:Michael Putland/Getty

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981), of Bob Marley and the Wailers, 31st May 1973

Michael Putland/Getty

Bob Marleyis 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 biopicBob Marley: One Lovehits theaters — take a look at some of the musician’s coolest throwback pictures.

Bob Marleyis 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 biopicBob Marley: One Lovehits theaters — take a look at some of the musician’s coolest throwback pictures.

01of 10Bob Marley’s Early DaysBob Marley and The Wailers.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyBob 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.

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Bob Marley’s Early Days

Bob Marley and The Wailers.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Bob Marley, 1972, Jamaica

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.

02of 10Feeling the MusicBob Marley on stage.Gary Merrin/Keystone/GettyThe 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.

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Feeling the Music

Bob Marley on stage.Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty

Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) , the singer, guitarist and composer of reggae music in concert, 1974

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.

03of 10Making HitsBob Marley and The Wailers.Ian Dickson/RedfernsMarley 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.

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Making Hits

Bob Marley and The Wailers.Ian Dickson/Redferns

Bob Marley and The Wailers walk down an alley to the stage door behind the Odeon, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 18 July 1975

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.

04of 10In the Prime of YouthBob Marley.Michael Putland/GettyA 28-year-old Marley, is pictured before he started growing out his locs.

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In the Prime of Youth

Bob Marley.Michael Putland/Getty

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981), of Bob Marley and the Wailers, 31st May 1973

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

05of 10Making an ImpactBob Marley.Pete Still/RedfernsA Rastafarian, Marley donned a green, yellow and red jacket while performing at Crystal Palace Bowl in London in June 1980.

05of 10

Making an Impact

Bob Marley.Pete Still/Redferns

Bob Marley performs on stage at Crystal Palace Bowl on June 7th, 1980

Pete Still/Redferns

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

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Cooler Than Ever

Bob Marley.Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley (1945-1981) posed by the canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1976

Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

07of 10Music ManBob Marley.Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesMarley donned a denim shirt and passionately sang to fans in Sweden in this undated shot.

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Music Man

Bob Marley.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Jamaican Reggae musician, songwriter, and singer Bob Marley performs on stage, in a concert at Grona Lund, Stockholm, Sweden.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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

08of 10Of the PeopleBob Marley.Chris Walter/WireImageMarley smiled and interacted with fans while signing autographs at the Tower Records Sunset store in West Hollywood in 1979.

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Of the People

Bob Marley.Chris Walter/WireImage

Bob Marley signing at 1979 Tower Records Sunset store appearance

Chris Walter/WireImage

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

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In Conversation

Bob Marley at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, 1976

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

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Legacy Lives On

Bob Marley.Allan Tannenbaum/Getty

Jamaican Reggae musician Bob Marley

Allan Tannenbaum/Getty

On Feb. 14, 2024, Paramount Pictures will releaseBob 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.

source: people.com