Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician. Born: February 6, 1945 Nine Miles, Jamaica. Died: May 11, 1981 of cancer in Miami, Florida, USA Nesta Robert "Bob" Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae bands The Wailers (1963-1974) and Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.