Marley Unseen: Rare Pics of the Reggae Icon
1.An Intimate Look at the Jamaican Star
Thirty years ago, on May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died at a Miami hospital from complications stemming from the spread of melanoma. He was 36.
This past Fall, famed music and counter culture shutterbug Kim Gottlieb shared rare photos with SPIN of the influential reggae icon, whose posthumous album Legend has sold a staggering 25 million albums worldwide.
Gottlieb was dispatched to Jamaica in the early '70s by Marley's label, Island Records, to shoot album covers and publicity stills. But she ultimately snapped hundreds of intimate photos of Marley at home and on the road, which are compiled in the new book Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae.
Click through to see more photos, plus Gottlieb's thoughts about hanging out with the reggae legend.
2.An Intimate Look at the Jamaican Star
Thirty years ago, on May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died at a Miami hospital from complications stemming from the spread of melanoma. He was 36.
This past Fall, famed music and counter culture shutterbug Kim Gottlieb shared rare photos with SPIN of the influential reggae icon, whose posthumous album Legend has sold a staggering 25 million albums worldwide.
Gottlieb was dispatched to Jamaica in the early '70s by Marley's label, Island Records, to shoot album covers and publicity stills. But she ultimately snapped hundreds of intimate photos of Marley at home and on the road, which are compiled in the new book Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae.
Click through to see more photos, plus Gottlieb's thoughts about hanging out with the reggae legend.
3.Catch a Fire
Marley takes a break from interviews at Hollywood's Sunset Marquis in July 1975. "I always enjoyed photographing him in interviews because he was just so expressive," says Gottlieb.
In this photo, Marley wears the Hebrew "Chai" character, which means "Life."
4.Stir It Up
Marley at CBS Studios in Los Angeles, taping one of his first U.S. television appearances in 1975.
5.Hang Time
Marley playing soccer in West Hollywood in 1975. "Whenever he had free time he always kicked the ball around," says Gottlieb. "He had great control."
6.Marley at Home
The singer is photographed in front of an Ethiopian flag at his home in Jamaica. "He never liked to pose for pictures," says Gottlieb. "The first one that I took in this series, he was very serious. But then I peeked out from the camera and said, 'Bob, the people that are seeing these pictures already love you!' and he broke into a smile."
7.On the Town
Marley (with Don Taylor behind the wheel and bandmembers Carly Barrett, Seeco, and Aston Barret in the backseat) on their way to CBS Studios in Los Angeles, 1975.
8.Legend
Marley performs at the Santa Barbara County Bowl in 1976. "He was constantly dancing and moving when he performed," remembers Gottlieb.
9.Wailin' Away
Marley and the Wailers perform at the Santa Barbara County Bowl in 1976.
10.Marley at Rest
The singer in a Los Angeles hotel room in 1975.