To celebrate the upcoming home entertainment release of Bob Marley: One Love, discover 10 things you may not know about the man himself.
Already available on digital download, the musical biopic Bob Marley: One Love is coming to the disc formats on May 27th. The film, featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the Reggae legend, was a box-office success. The actor gave an Oscar-worthy performance in the lead role, ably supported by co-star Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita, again in an Oscar-worthy performance. (Read our review here.) The film is available to buy from Paramount Home Entertainment. To celebrate the release, we look at 10 things you may not know about the legend himself.
NAMING HIS RECORD LABEL AFTER HIS OWN NICKNAME
Marley had a rough upbringing, especially after he and his mother moved from their rural village to Kingston, mainly because of his bi-racial heritage. Jamaica was under colonial rule, and there was deep distrust toward white people amongst the black community of Trenchtown. Which saw Marley bullied by neighbours who derogatorily referred to him as “White Boy”. This led him to need to prove his strength and resilience fighting in the street. This, and his aggressive playing style on the football pitch earned him the nickname ‘Tuff Gong’.
The name, which Marley would later lend to numerous business enterprises, including his record label and recording studios, was a homage to the founder of the Rastafari movement, Leonard “The Gong” Howell. And was supposed to connote special abilities. His second nickname, only called by his nearest and dearest friends, was Skip. This is because he was the captain of their football team, who is normally called ‘Skipper’. This is the namesake for his grandson, Skip Marley.
HUGE FOOTBALL FAN
Bob Marley had a huge passion for music, obviously, but he also had another love in his life; football. A man known for his unforgettable musical quotes, in regards to football Bob famously said “Football Is Part of I. When I play, the world wakes up around me.” He was a fan of Tottenham Hotspur and the Brazilian club side Santos FC and played aggressively as his nickname suggested. In 1980, Bob and his band went to Rio de Janeiro to see Brazilian musician Chico Buarque and played in a pickup game that featured professional footballer Paulo César Caju.
Bob then made plans with Paulo to build a football school in Jamaica before his death. His daughter Cedella is the Jamaican women’s team ambassador, with her financial backing allowing them to begin qualifying for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in 2018.
HIS BEST SCHOOL SUBJECT WAS MATHS
While you may have thought Bob’s best subject was music, it was in fact mathematics. Marley didn’t stay in school for long, however. He managed to secure himself a position as an apprentice welder at a young age. He left this job after a dangerous injury in which a piece of metal flew into his eye.
THE INSPIRATION FOR THREE LITTLE BIRDS
Possibly one of his most famous songs, there is a lot of speculation about where Bob’s inspiration for Three Little Birds comes from. Released along with the Exodus album in 1977, many believe that there were three actual birds that would float down and serenade Bob from his windowsill in Kingston.
Bob had a deep affection for nature, and it is said that a trio of vibrant canaries inspired him. Yet, there is a widespread belief that ‘Three Little Birds’ was actually a term of endearment he used for his soulful backup singers, the I-Threes, among whom was his wife, Rita.
MOST STREAMED ALBUMS
Bob Marley and the Wailer’s ‘Legend’ is the 5th most streamed album from each of the 70s, 80s and 90s in the UK. Their other album ‘Exodus’ from 1977 ranked 10th most streamed, making them and Oasis the only artists to have more than one album in the Top 10 ranking across 3 whole decades!
POLITICAL ACCLAIM
1978 He was awarded The United Nations Peace Medal of the Third World. This was for his bravery and courageous work fighting for peace and justice in Jamaica during a time of great political unrest. His official website states that he received recognition for advocating on behalf of disenfranchised black communities worldwide. He received the medal from African delegates to the United Nations in a ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
In addition to this, Bob was awarded The Order of Merit. This is a high honour awarded to Jamaican citizens who have achieved notable international success. The motto is ‘He that does truth comes into the light’. Bob Marley received this honour in 1981 for his outstanding contribution to Jamaican culture. Bandmate Bunny Wailer also received the Order of Merit in 2017.
STAR ON THE WALK OF FAME
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24-star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. In 2001, the legend, who passed away in 1981, posthumously received a star at 7080 Hollywood Blvd.
NOT A LOVER OF EXPENSIVE THINGS
He’s been quoted as saying, “I have a BMW. But only because BMW stands for Bob Marley and the Wailers, not because I need an expensive car.”
SERENADING ZIMBABWE
Bob and the Wailers stepped onstage in Harare, Zimbabwe. To help usher in their independence from British and local white minority rule. It galvanised the people. The iconic reggae thump of the legendary Jamaican musician boosted the atmosphere. As chants of “Viva Zimbabwe” boomed across the crowd between songs. Christopher Mutsvangwa, one of the fighters during the liberation struggle, known as Second Chimurenga said
“It was a moment I fully savoured … Tears of pain-filled delight rolled down my cheeks … Unfortunately, many of my beloved comrades were not there any more to watch the spectacle they paid the ultimate price of life for.”
LAID TO REST
Cedella Booker, Marley’s mother, interred his remains in an above-ground tomb. He rests alongside his younger brother Tony, accompanied by his cherished possessions: his guitar, his football, and a bud of marijuana. Cedella has stated that she will not bury or exhibit these items until the world becomes a better place.
BONUS CONTENT FOR THE HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE
The details of the bonus content are as follows:
Becoming Bob Marley—Go inside the making of a legend and see Kingsley Ben-Adir transform himself into the iconic Bob Marley to capture the musician’s essence.
The Story: Bringing Bob Marley’s Story to Life—See how filmmakers structured the film around Bob’s music, message, and family.
The Cast—Sit down with the actors including Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch as they discuss their process.
On Location: Jamaica and England—Discover where Bob Marley lived and created some of his best music, from the beaches of Jamaica to the streets of London.
The Band—Explore the real-life musicians involved throughout the making of the film, including some family members of the original Wailers.
8 Extended and Deleted Scenes
*bonus content varies by Digital Retailer
SYNOPSIS
Celebrate the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love, peace, and unity. In One Love, discover Bob Marley’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music that changed the world.
The movie has a 12 rating due to drug use, moderate violence, and infrequent strong language.
RELEASE DETAILS
Digital Release Date: April 22, 2024
Digital Rental Date: May 6, 2024
Physical Release Date: May 27, 2024 (4K, 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray SteelBook, Blu-ray and DVD)
BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE – 4K ULTRA HD™, BLU-RAY™ and DVD discs are presented in a 16×9 letterbox format.
The 4K ULTRA HD™ Feature Film disc includes English and German Dolby Atmos, French–Canadian, Spanish – Castilian and Spanish-Latin American Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio. The disc also includes an Audio Descriptive Track in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. The following subtitles will be available: English, English SDH†, Danish, Finnish, French-Canadian, German, Norwegian, Spanish–Castilian, Spanish – Latin American, Swedish and Turkish.
The Blu-ray™ Feature Film disc includes English – Dolby Atmos, French – Canadian, German, Spanish – Castilian and Spanish – Latin American Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio along with an Audio Descriptive Track in English – Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. It offers the following subtitles English, English SDH†, Danish, Finnish, French – Canadian, German, Norwegian, Spanish – Castilian, Spanish – Latin American, Swedish and Turkish.
The DVD Feature Film disc includes English – Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, German, Spanish – Castilian Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio, along with an Audio Descriptive Track in English – Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. It offers the following subtitles English, English SDH†, Danish, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Spanish – Castilian, Swedish and Turkish.
CREDITS
PARAMOUNT PICTURES Presents
A PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT / STATE STREET PICTURES / TUFF GONG PICTURES Production
“BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE”
KINGSLEY BEN-ADIR LASHANA LYNCH JAMES NORTON
Music Supervisor STEPHEN MARLEY
Executive Music Producer HARVEY MASON JR.
Score by KRIS BOWERS
Costume Designer ANNA B. SHEPPARD
Edited by PAMELA MARTIN, ACE NICK HOUY, ACE BFE
Production Designer CHRIS LOWE
Director of Photography ROBERT ELSWIT, ASC
Executive Producers BRAD PITT RICHARD HEWITT ORLY MARLEY MATT SOLODKY
Produced by ROBERT TEITEL, p.g.a. DEDE GARDNER, p.g.a. JEREMY KLEINER, p.g.a. ZIGGY MARLEY, p.g.a. RITA MARLEY CEDELLA MARLEY
Story by TERENCE WINTER & FRANK E. FLOWERS
Screenplay by TERENCE WINTER & FRANK E. FLOWERS and ZACH BAYLIN & REINALDO MARCUS GREEN
Directed by REINALDO MARCUS GREEN
Grab the film on digital now, and on the physical formats on May 27th. To pre-order your physical copy, click here.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
