Marley and Me: The Real Bob Marley Story FROM THE PUBLISHER
Bob Marley's tragic death in 1981 left the world in mourning. Since that terrible day the myths and legends which surround his life have continued to grow. Only one man knows the real truth. That man is Don Taylor, Bob Marley's manager, friend and confidant. Now, in this astonishing and brilliantly written book, Don Taylor tells:
How he and Bob were shot down and left for dead by gangsters wielding Uzi submachine guns. Of Bob's love affairs with scores of women, including a beautiful princess and former Miss World Cindy Breakspeare. The secret of the millions of pounds Bob placed around the world. How Bob foiled a plot to kidnap Mick Jagger. How Rita Marley was able to sign Bob's signature on checks for huge sums of money. How Bob secretly carried guns or knives and threatened to kill those who crossed him. The bizarre and curious circumstances which led to Bob Marley's death.
All these stories, and hundreds more, are told with deep affection and a simple, direct honesty which makes this book indispensible for anyone who is interested in this towering figure of world music.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Marred by meandering narration and boundless self-aggrandizement, this memoir by Bob Marley's manager does little to demythologize the late, great reggae superstar. Though Taylor dutifully addresses Marley's life before their association, this is an edited version of transcripts of his taped memoirs, and Taylor comes across as more interested in hearing himself talk. Readers will learn more about Taylor's childhood in Kingston's Trench Town and his rise in the music business than about Marley's childhood and early career. Taylor makes much of the deal-brokering that goes on in the recording industry and of his proclivity for it: ``Thanks to my shrewd management and teamwork, Bob's stature was growing'' is just one example. Taylor does capture Bob Marley's navigation of Jamaica's incendiary political landscape in the 1970s, and the story of the attempt on Marley's life is well told (Taylor was seriously injured in the attempt). But Taylor's efforts to offer insight into Marley's personal life would be laughable if they weren't so embarrassingly bad, as when, in describing Bob and Rita Marley tending to their dreadlocks, Taylor opines, ``To see them lighting up their spliffs during this combing ritual was a beautiful sight.'' Get the boxed set instead. Discography. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.)
Library Journal
Taylor, manager of such acts as Martha and the Vandellas and most recently Soul II Soul, writes about the rise of reggae great Bob Marley (1945-81). After outlining the parallels between his and Marley's youths, Taylor details his experiences as Marley's manager from 1975 to 1981, including the late 1976 assassination attempt on the musician in which Taylor was seriously wounded. Though adding few insights into Marley's music, the author offers an interesting portrayal of Marley, describing him as an ironic figure: a devoted father with an entourage of women; a multi-millionaire who traveled on tour with only a duffel bag of belongings; and a musician who hoped to unite warring political factions into religious unity. He also provides an insider's view of the music business, including cutthroat financial dealings, political machinations, and the Mafia connection. Recommended for those interested in Bob Marley and the social dimension of popular music.-David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
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