by G. Brown

More than three decades after his death, singer Bob Marley remains a global symbol of peace and the unity of African people worldwide. As a singer, songwriter, musician and guitarist, Marley’s talent was the first major Jamaican reggae sound introduced to the U.S. From the lead singer with the Wailers to his solo career, Marley’s music is still moving audiences.

Here are 6 Facts about Bob Marley…

Nicknamed “White Boy” Marley was bullied and called “White Boy” because he was biracial. His father was a white British naval captain and his mother was African-Jamaican. His tortured upbringing eventually led him to adopt the philosophy; “I’m not on the white man’s side, or the black man’s side. I’m on God’s side.”

Marley Still Earning Money from the Grave Even though he’s been dead for over 30 years, Marley is still earning money. In 2014, Forbes Magazine ranked Marley fifth on its annual list of highest-earning dead celebrities. Marley’s ranking will probably be higher this year when earnings from the release of “Natural Fine Cannabis” will be added to the tally.

He was a Fortuneteller As a child, Marley spooked a lot of people by reading their palms and accurately predicting some of their futures. At age seven, he saw his destiny was to become a singer and he refused to read any more palms from that point on.

His First U.S. #1 Hit Was Sung by Somebody Else In 1973, Marley recorded his album Burnin’ which included the song “I Shot the Sheriff”. The album got critical acclaim, but little else. Singer Eric Clapton recorded a cover of the song a year later and it shot to the top of the charts.

His Band Was Fired for Being too Good Marley and the Wailers were to open 17 shows on tour with Sly and the Family Stone. After the first four shows, the band was let go because they were more popular than the main act.

His Final Words were to His Son Ziggy In 1981, Marley died from a malignant melanoma that started under his toenail and spread to his lungs and brain. On his deathbed at a Miami hospital, Marley’s last words to his son Ziggy were “Money can’t buy life”.