Published Nov 16, 2020

Singer Bob Marley Died of Melanoma Almost 40 Years Ago at 36; He Is Still One of the Highest Paid Artists of 2020

Reggae king Bob Marley died after a years-long battle with melanoma and his songs, music equipment, and merchandise continue to make millions, long after his death.

Anne McCarthy

Details

Bob Marley's Legacy

Bob Marley died at age 36 from melanoma and continues to earn millions from his music and other products.
Marley’s melanoma began in his toe, and later spread to his brain and vital organs.
Treatment for melanoma often includes excision, the surgical removal of the cancerous skin tissue.

Jamaican singer and reggae pioneer Bob Marley passed away at the young age of 36 in 1981 after a years-long battle with melanoma. The skin cancer started in his toe, and Marley was advised to have his toe amputated. However, he decided not to, due to religious reasons, and the impact it could have on his performance abilities. The cancer metastasized and spread to the singer’s brain, liver, and lungs. He eventually agreed to have part of his toe removed, but by the time he did, the cancer had already spread to his vital organs.

Despite his death, the iconic singer has continued making money for decades. Forbes reported that Bob Marley ranked as #8 on its list of “The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities Of 2020.” Marley’s estate earned $14 million this year from his music, his line of speakers and other music equipment, as well as tee shirts and other Marley-related merchandise.

Risk Factors for Melanoma

Bob Marley had a rare type of melanoma called acral melanoma. This type is not strongly linked to UV exposure, unlike other skin cancers. There are some common and prominent risk factors for developing melanoma. Dr. Anna Pavlick, of the NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, laid out some of the risk factors of SurvivorNet in a previous interview.

Related: Blood Test Could Predict the Best Type of Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma

Dr. Pavlick told us, “Most patients who go routinely to their dermatologist are patients who are at risk. Who are those patients at risk? Patients at risk are patients who are fair-skinned, blond hair, blue eyes, patients who may have a family history of melanoma or patients who have what we call dysplastic nevus syndrome who are just covered in thousands and thousands of moles. Patients who have already been diagnosed with one melanoma are at an increased risk of getting a second melanoma.”

Am I at High Risk for Melanoma?

Treatment for Melanoma

From 1981, when Marley died from the disease, treatment for melanoma has come a long way. Dr. Pavlick told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview that “Patients with stage one melanoma are cured by excision 90% of the time. So only about 10% of stage one patients will ever have the risk of that coming back. Patients with stage two disease have about a 75% to 80% chance of being fine.” So, we know that this disease is very treatable, and early detection is key, as it is for other cancers as well.

Patients with melanoma are under careful watch by their dermatologist and surgeon, says Dr. Pavlick. “We watch patients very closely. They’re seen by their dermatologist. They’re seen by their surgeon. Patients with stage three disease probably have a 50/50 chance of being OK with just a surgical resection. However, we now have brand new medicines, or immunotherapy medicines, that can significantly reduce their risk of this ever coming back.”

“And many patients who have stage three disease are recommended to undergo preventive immunotherapy. And finally, patients with stage four disease. It’s a very different world now than it was even five years ago. We’ve got wonderful medicines that impact patient survival and really have led to patients living normal, long, healthy lives after getting therapy, and even coming off therapy.”

While Bob Marley may be gone, we’re grateful for the musical legacy he left us, as well as the progress that’s been made since he passed from this disease decades ago.

Melanoma Treatment Has "Come a Long Way"

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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