One Love, One Heart: Bob Marley’s London Home Gets Heritage Plaque

Bob Marley's former London home has been given a Blue Heritage Plaque

The London home of Bob Marley, one of the most influential musical artists in history, has been given an English heritage plaque.

Marley resided at the house, at 42 Oakley Street, Chelsea, in 1977, while recording his Platinum album, Exodus, with The Wailers. Proof of his residency came about after the discovery of court records relating to his alleged possession of marijuana.

“And it’s about time!” shouted one passer-by in his red car, waving his fist in the air. The commemorative plaque is one of the very few given in recognition to a black artist. Only four percent of just under one-thousand plaques awarded have been given in recognition for a black or Asian artist.

Rastafarian poet, Benjamin Zephania, and broadcaster and historian, David Olusoga, unveiled the plaque and introduced the honour. The purpose of the plaque is to recognise the contributions of outstanding individuals, connecting them with the place they inhabited. The person of distinction must have been deceased for at least 20 years and there must be proof of their inhabitancy for eligibility to be granted.

The current residents of the Chelsea home were “absolutely thrilled” that both Bob Marley and the house had been commemorated.