Bob Marley’s life came to an harrowing end after he refused to find treatment following a cancer diagnosis.
The BBC is celebrating the legendary musician’s life on Saturday with an evening of entertainment starting from 9pm on BBC Two.
It will explore the music that made him famous, along with his group, the Wailers.
It will also dive into his personal life, though for fans they are all too familiar with the Jamaican singer’s final days.
While there are many conspiracy theories surrounding his death, which are bolstered by a previous assassination attempt, he ultimately succumbed to health problems.
He suffered from a cancer diagnosis, and rather seek the immediately medical attention he needed, he appeared to not take it seriously at first.
How did Bob Marley die?
(Image: Getty Images)
On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died after a long battle with lentiginous melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer aged 36.
The melanoma was first discovered in 1977, when it was found to be spreading from under his toe nail.
Bob regularly played football and for years he would have a kick around with his bandmates during tours.
In 1977, during a tour around France, in one such game he kicked the ball with such force that his toenail became detached.
Following a check-up from a doctor in Paris, the musician revealed to his manager that the toe had been infected on-and-off for years prior.
It all appeared routine at the time, as the doctor simply sent him on his way without a biopsy. However, this changed when he was gigging around London, as he once again injured his toe.
This time the doctor reacted with immediate concern, sending him for a biopsy straight away.
It was discovered that he was suffering from an aggressive form of skin cancer, leading to his previous injury not healing correctly.
Doctors then told him he needed the toe amputated before the cancer spread to the rest of his body. He refused.
Why did Bob Marley refuse treatment?
(Image: Getty Images)
Following his tour in London, Bob returned to Miami and sought a second opinion from another doctor.
They only re-confirmed what he was already told, though this time the doctor suggested amputating his entire foot.
At first, the singer refused to have any surgery done on religious grounds, as the Rastafari faith considers the cutting of flesh to be against its believes.
However, he was eventually convinced to have surgery and received a skin graft to remove the cancerous tissue.
Soon after, he was gigging again, though fell ill and cancelled the rest of his tour in New York.
During one of his jogs, he suffered a stroke and was rushed to see doctors in Manhattan.
They confirmed the worst, that the cancer had spread throughout his body, to his lungs and brain.
At this point, he was taken home to Jamaica, where Dr Carl Fraser referred him to a leading physician in Germany, named Dr Josef Issels.
There he underwent an alternative cancer treatment which partly involved avoiding certain foods, drinks and other substances.
After eight months Marley boarded a plane to return to Jamaica, but during the flight he began to feel worse, forcing them to seek treatment in Miami once more.
On May 11, 1981, he died in Miami leaving a legacy of legendary music behind him and legions of adoring fans to mourn him.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
