### Alan Cole Breaks Silence on Bob Marley: The Untold Story
At 74 years old, Alan Cole, Bob Marley’s former manager and childhood friend, has finally chosen to speak out about his experiences with the reggae legend.
For nearly fifty years, Cole remained silent about his close relationship with Marley, a man he describes as raw, brilliant, fearless, and haunted. While the world knows Marley as a musical icon, Cole offers a unique perspective on the man behind the music, revealing a life filled with danger, love, and betrayal.
Cole first met Marley in the early 1960s during a casual football match in Trenchtown, Kingston. Both were teenagers, shaped by the harsh realities of their impoverished neighborhood. Marley was already experimenting with music, creating makeshift guitars from sardine tins, while Cole earned the nickname “Skill” for his athletic prowess on the field. Their initial encounter sparked a silent acknowledgment of mutual ambition, setting the stage for a lifelong bond.
As Marley’s career began to take off, Cole became an essential part of his journey. He took on the role of manager, organizer, and gatekeeper, handling travel arrangements, negotiating payments, and ensuring Marley was treated fairly in the industry. Their partnership evolved into a brotherhood, characterized by trust and mutual respect, even amidst their differing approaches to fame and business.
In 1970, Marley and Cole launched the iconic Tough Gong label, a decision that would change the course of reggae music. Cole recalls Marley wanting a name that echoed strength, and Tough Gong became synonymous with Marley’s powerful legacy. Despite their strong bond, their relationship faced challenges, particularly during times of internal tension within the Wailers, especially between Marley and Peter Tosh. Cole often acted as a mediator, trying to maintain harmony within the group.
Marley was known for his deep passion and fierce convictions, often navigating complex relationships both personally and politically. His commitment to Rastafarianism influenced every aspect of his life, making him a symbol of resistance and a cultural ambassador for Jamaica. However, his openness about controversial subjects also earned him powerful enemies, leading to speculation about threats against his life.
Marley’s death in 1981 from melanoma shocked fans worldwide, but the circumstances surrounding his illness have raised questions that persist to this day. Cole refrained from discussing Marley’s health struggles immediately after his death, wanting to preserve his friend’s memory. However, he later expressed regret that Marley did not trust medical professionals more than his faith, believing it could have changed the outcome.
With the release of the biopic *Bob Marley: One Love* in January 2024, Cole felt compelled to speak out. While the film was commercially successful, grossing over $146 million, it focused primarily on the late 1970s, omitting significant aspects of Marley’s life, including his relationship with Cindy Brickspear, the mother of his son Damian. Cole criticized the film for presenting a sanitized version of Marley’s life, neglecting the complexities that made him who he was.
In an emotionally charged interview, Cole stated, “I didn’t watch it because I don’t think the movie projected what the true essence of Bob Marley is all about.” He emphasized that Marley was not the perfect husband or the idealized figure many believe him to be. Instead, he was a deeply private man, often misunderstood, who struggled with personal relationships and the weight of his public persona.
Cole’s revelations paint a more nuanced picture of Bob Marley, highlighting the importance of acknowledging both the light and dark aspects of his life. He believes that to truly honor Marley’s legacy, the world must accept the entirety of who he was—a flawed, brilliant, and complex individual. As one of the last living witnesses to Marley’s untold stories, Cole feels a responsibility to ensure that the real Bob Marley is remembered, not just as a legend, but as a human being with contradictions and depth.
