How is your book different from earlier books about Marley?

This is the first book to explain how Bob Marley interprets the Bible in his lyrics. Over four hundred books have been written about Marley, not a single one devoted to the Bible. In general, little attention has been paid to Marley’s biblical interests. For example, the most recent documentary film about Marley makes the point that his rejection by the white segment of his family inspired his song “Corner Stone.” But a major point is missed: Marley’s lyric, “The stone that the builder refused / Will always be the head corner stone,” is a direct quotation from Psalm 118! Marley turned to the Bible when confronted with adversity and rejection, and found in its pages elements of his own experience. Marley saw himself in Psalm 118.

What inspired you to write this book?

The book is inspired by a road trip my brother Scott and I took in the summer of 1991. We drove from Connecticut to Vermont listening to Scott’s Bob Marley tapes, analyzing the lyrics and biblical references. A couple of weeks later, Scott was a passenger in another teenager’s car when he was killed in an alcohol-related crash. My family was devastated. Scott left us his love of life, nature, and the music of Bob Marley. I responded to grief by entering the classroom of Bob Marley. I learned to “stand firm” while offering prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God. Marley’s words came with the authority of one who withstood tremendous hardship through constant prayer and love of God. But they also came with the authority of scripture. This important aspect of Marley’s life and music has not been the subject of serious analysis until now.