Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, episode 006: Bob Marley Must Die!

Music can be a powerful motivator and not just for individuals. If the message is strong and people are searching for truth, music can transform entire communities and countries around the plane. Its effects can long outlive its creator, inspiring people to action for decades…

Bob Marley was one of those creators. Not only can his music be heard in virtually every country, but his image is everywhere, too. I was in a rural village in Poland and while looking for somewhere to eat, I came across a building with a huge mural of Marley.

The same thing happened when I was touring through the jungles of Indonesia. There was one shop in this one particular off-the-beaten-path settlement was all decked out in Bob Marley everything.

I was in a cab heading north out of Beijing—and what CD did the driver have on? Bob Marley’s Legends. And although the guy couldn’t speak English, he knew every word of every song.

Maybe you’ve had some of the same travel experiences, Go anywhere in the world and there’s an almost 100% chance that you’ll hear Marley’s music.

It’s universal, these messages of love and positivity and togetherness and righteousness. Plus there’s just something about a reggae beat that amplifies the sentiment of the lyrics.

Bob Marley remains one of the most beloved musicians of the last 100 years. So why would anyone want him dead?

There were more than a few people who wished that. They considered him dangerous, a threat, someone who needed to be dealt with before he interfered with their interests. This is a tale that story involves social movements, local politics, and even players in the Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR.

The consensus of the people afraid of Bob Marley was that he must die. Have I got a story for you…

Get Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry wherever you get your podcasts. Both Uncharted and The Ongoing History of New Music will be heard back-to-back overnights five days a week on these Corus news stations:

Showtimes (all times local)

• Toronto: AM 640 (4-5am)
• London: 980 CFPL (4-5am)
• Hamilton: 900 CHML (4-5am)
• Vancouver: 980 CKNW (1-2am)
• Edmonton: 630 CHED (1-2am)
• Calgary: QR77 (770 AM and 107.1 FM) (1-2am)
• Winnipeg: 680 CJOB (1-2am)