Let’s get together to fight this Holy Armagiddyon (One Love!),

So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (One Song!).

Have pity on those whose chances grows t’inner;

There ain’t no hiding place from the Father of Creation

These are lyrics to the Bob Marley and the Wailers song One Love/People Get Ready. Listening to them the first time or the 100^th time, there should be no doubt why he has made such an impression on millions of people, worldwide. If you are a lover of Reggae, there should be little doubt in your mind why Marleys music has left such an indelible impression. However, for people who never claimed themselves to be lovers of Reggae music, there is something that clearly separates his music from many others in this genre of music.

In fact, to this day, the compilation album Legend, which was released in 1984, three years after Marleys death, has sold over 17 million copies worldwide. Whats most ironic is that Reggae, although popular, remains well below the popularity of Rock n Roll, Pop Music and Rhythm and Blues (R&B).

Prior to Marley signing with Island Records in the early 1970s, outside of Jamaica, Reggae was unknown. Between his powerful messages of love and empowerment and making the bass guitar the lead instrument over the electric guitar, fans were immediately attracted to him.

Of the 12 awards and honors Bob Marley has received, nine of them have been presented posthumously. The most recent of them was in 2010 with the induction of his album, Catch a Fire into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

After his induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, although dead for 13 years, his popularity once again soared. Five years later, his fourth album with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Exodus was voted album of the century. Two years later in 2001, he would get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in the same year, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Indeed, he’d go on to be recognized several more times, and in all likelihood, his musical genius will continue to garner attention.

Why Does He Have Such an Impact, 29 Years Following His Death?

Some can argue its his message, while others point to his music. What is undisputed is, regardless whether he’s longing for love or he’s empowering people to believe in themselves, that his lyrics are as relevant today as they were the day he wrote them.