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Bob Marley Birthday: Reggae Singer Would Have Turned 68 Today (PHOTOS)

Bob Marley Would Have Been 68 Today
Leigh Blickley
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Today, Feb. 6, 2013, would have been Bob Marley's 68th birthday.

The beloved Jamaican singer died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36, but his legacy lives on through his music. Marley is credited with helping spread both reggae sounds and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience throughout his 18 years in the business.

According to Urban Islandz, "Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers," which was released three years after his death, is reggae's biggest selling album to date, with more than 10 million copies sold in the United States and an estimated 25 million worldwide. And that's no surprise.

Despite his absence, Marley has continued to garner success, being honored with such awards as BBC’s song of the millenium for "One Love" and getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Also in 1999, Time Magazine named Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Exodus" as the greatest album of the 20th century.

Last year, Ziggy Marley talked to The Huffington Post about the first-ever family authorized documentary, "Marley," chronicling the life and times of his legendary father. Ziggy explained another date that is associated with the global icon, saying, "I think 4/20 is a special day. Of course, with our culture we use herb for so many different things, not just for smoking. I think it’s something that we’re not going to hide from, and I think it’s appropriate because it’s a part of our culture and a part of Bob’s music. If you love Bob’s music, well guess what, herb is a part of Bob’s music."

Marley is survived by Ziggy and his 10 other children, Sharon, Cedella, Stephen, Robbie, Rohan, Karen, Stephanie, Julian, Ky-Mani and Damian.

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Before You Go

Bob Marley Throughout The Years
Music - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibraiton Tour - Hammersmith Odeon, London(01 of20)
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Bob Marley plays his guitar on stage during the gig (credit:PA)
Music - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibraiton Tour - Hammersmith Odeon, London(02 of20)
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Bob Marley on stage during the gig (credit:PA)
Music - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibraiton Tour - Hammersmith Odeon, London(03 of20)
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Bob Marley plays his guitar on stage during the gig (credit:PA)
Music - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibraiton Tour - Hammersmith Odeon, London(04 of20)
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Bob Marley plays his guitar on stage during a gig at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. 16/06/1976 Picture: Anwar Hussein/EMPICS Entertainment (credit:PA)
Bob Marley(05 of20)
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6th April 1977: Jamaican singer-songwriter and reggae star Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) outside Marylebone Magistrates Court in London, where he was fined for possession of cannabis. (Photo by Maurice Hibberd/Evening Standard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(06 of20)
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6th April 1977: Reggae star, singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) outside Marylebone Magistrates Court in London, where he was fined for possession of cannabis. (Photo by Maurice Hibberd/Evening Standard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(07 of20)
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Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) the Jamaican born singer, guitarist and composer in concert. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(08 of20)
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Reggae singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981), in concert. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(09 of20)
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1973: singer, Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) in concert. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Marley Smiling(10 of20)
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3rd June 1977: Singer, guitarist and composer of reggae music Bob Marley, (1945 - 1981), originally Robert Nesta Marley, in London. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley Performs On Stage(11 of20)
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Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) performs on stage, a microphone in his hand, late 1970s. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Marley In London(12 of20)
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June 1977: Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) in London. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(13 of20)
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June 1977: Jamaican reggae singer and guitarist Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) in London. (Photo by Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(14 of20)
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3rd June 1977: Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) in London. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bob Marley(15 of20)
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circa 1974: Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) , the singer, guitarist and composer of reggae music in concert. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
bob marley(16 of20)
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This month celebrations in both Jamaica and Ethiopia will commence to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of the reggae star Bob Marley. Marley, who died in 1981 after battling cancer at the age of 36, would have turned 60 on 6th February. PICTURE: Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in June 1977. Anwar Hussein/allactiondigital.com (credit:PA)
bob marley(17 of20)
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This month celebrations in both Jamaica and Ethiopia will commence to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of the reggae star Bob Marley. Marley, who died in 1981 after battling cancer at the age of 36, would have turned 60 on 6th February. PICTURE: Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in June 1977. Anwar Hussein/allactiondigital.com (credit:PA)
Music - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibraiton Tour - Hammersmith Odeon, London(18 of20)
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Bob Marley plays his guitar on stage during the gig (credit:PA)
bob marley(19 of20)
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This month celebrations in both Jamaica and Ethiopia will commence to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of the reggae star Bob Marley. Marley, who died in 1981 after battling cancer at the age of 36, would have turned 60 on 6th February. PICTURE: Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in June 1977. Anwar Hussein/allactiondigital.com (credit:PA)
bob marley(20 of20)
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This month celebrations in both Jamaica and Ethiopia will commence to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of the reggae star Bob Marley. Marley, who died in 1981 after battling cancer at the age of 36, would have turned 60 on 6th February. PICTURE: Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in June 1977. Anwar Hussein/allactiondigital.com (credit:PA)
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