On this day, 11 May 1981, the legendary Bob Marley dies at age 36 after a long battle with cancer.

Marley became the first international reggae superstar after blending elements of rock and R&B into his sound, making it appealing to a wider audience. During his ascent, Marley was injured in a soccer game when another player’s cleat punctured the big toe of his right foot. It got infected, and in 1977 doctors told him that he needed to have it amputated.