Jamaicans celebrate the 70th anniversary of the birth of late reggae legend Bob Marley today, Friday Feb 06, 2015 with a jamming session at his former home and a free concert as the Caribbean island continues to wrestle over his place in its pantheon of heroes.
"I was not around when Bob was alive ... but people are still excited about his music," said Marcia Facey, 32, a fashion designer who lives in Kingston.
Jamaica has debated for years adding Marley to its Order of National Hero, its highest honor. Jamaica's current seven heroes are dominated by political figures.
"It is high time that the government makes him our eighth national hero," said Errol Campbell, 57, a mechanic, also of Kingston.
"Bob was a reggae genius who has done more for Jamaica than most others by popularizing our music," he added.
Some committee members are believed to oppose Marley because he smoked marijuana and sometimes disrespected authority as part of his Rastafarian faith which rejects materialism.
A new live album called "Easy Skanking in Boston '78" will also be released next week, according to The Bob Marley Group of Companies, featuring two live shows from Boston's Music Hall in June 1978.
The Marley family is celebrating the birthday by launching a "feel good social video movement" titled #Share1Love to honor Marley's vision of a better world.
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