 Robert Nesta " Bob " Marley , OM ( 6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981 ) was a Jamaican reggae singer , songwriter , musician , and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim . Starting out in 1963 with the group The Wailers , he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide . The Wailers recorded more than 70 singles for various producers , most notably " Catch a Fire " and " Burnin " for Island Records , and the hit " No Woman, No Cry " for Tuff Gong . After the Wailers disbanded in 1974 , Marley purs