Bob Marley was a vocalist.
Robert Nesta Marley , OM ( 6 February 1945 -- 11 May 1981 ) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter , musician and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim , blending mostly reggae , ska and rocksteady in his compositions . Starting out in 1963 with the group the Wailers , he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide . Singer-songwriters are musicians who write , compose , and perform their own musical material , including lyrics and melodies .