Bob Marley, the Jamaican reggae star who lost his battle with cancer 30 years ago on Wednesday (11th May 2011), is being remembered by fans across the world this week. A Bob Marley exhibition has opened at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, showcasing a personal collection of rare memorabilia provided by the Marley family.
Speaking to Reuters at the opening of the exhibition, Bob's son Ziggy Marley said he considers the anniversary of his father's death a celebration, saying, "It's not the happiest day, but we've learned to live with it. The actual day is a day of journey. It's a day of movement. We accept it as that. We're not here to cry or to be sad. We're here to celebrate and be happy". The exhibition, which runs until 2nd October 2011, contains a number of significant items, most notably Marley's primary Gibson Les Paul guitar. Ziggy said, "That was his baby.that was his weapon. That's what he held closest to him onstage, offstage. It's made of wood, it's natural". Elsewhere, fans of the reggae legend can view his embroidered blue denim stage jacket, candid photographs and old concert posters.
Bob Marley died in Miami on 11th May 1981 following a battle with cancer. The singer's condition had worsened after a melanoma from his lungs had spread to his brain. Marley's final words to his son Ziggy were, "Money can't buy life".