“Everything is political. I will never be a politician or even think political. Me just deal with life and nature. That is the greatest thing to me.” This unique take on the groundwork for a simple and complete life was quoted by famous Jamaican reggae singer, Bob Marley, and it is very reflective of the simplicity that made him the renowned and beloved artist that he was. Marley’s songs traversed a wide array of topics, from standing up for civil liberties to appreciating the deep love of a significant other. Many of his songs seem to fit right in with his aforementioned view on peacefully existing in nature, such as “Three Little Birds” and “Jammin’.” However, others seem to directly contradict this view by calling for a fervent political demand for social justice and freedom, as in his call to action against the British government in “Get Up, Stand Up.” Marley’s songs couple his simple views on how to live and love with his many complex and ambiguous messages on spirituality and morality to make the singer a beloved and timeless source of inspiration and contemplation. A prime example of the intangible nature of Marley and other beloved artists like him can be observed in the image above. This photograph, taken in 1978, depicts (from left to right) Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones’ lead singer, Mick Jagger, and Marley’s fellow band member, Peter Tosh, posing backstage at a Stones concert. With the uniqueness of these artists at the center of the image’s message, a sly and heartfelt argument is made. The photograph utilizes its many contrasting components and benefits from a modern context to instill a paradoxical understanding among its viewers of both the simplicity and ethereality of the artists it depicts. The image evokes these associations through the plain and distinct appearances of the artists themselves, the contrasting black and white imagery, and through the modern pop culture contexts that surround these artists.

In the image above, each of the artists is made to look stunningly “human”; that is to say, they look very much like regular people, and little if anything about their appearances signify that they are some of the most renowned singers of all time. Marley and Tosh are both adorned with “rasta caps”, which, while signifying that they are members of the unique Rastafarian religion, make for a cheerfully personable and simple aura. The rest of the artists’ outfits reinforce this sense of relatability. Bob Marley is wearing a collared Adidas shirt embellished with a button that reads “Rolling Stones 1978 guest”, making him seem like just any other fan of the beloved band. Mick Jagger is wearing a buttoned khaki jacket, the likes of which can be bought at a common thrift shop. Peter Tosh’s outfit is the most simple of all, as he is wearing short sleeves and a slim gold necklace that drapes below his chin, giving the singer an almost “working class” appearance. The artists’ common clothing not only hides their elite status, but it makes them more likable among viewers that can perhaps draw many similarities to these artists just from what they are wearing. Furthering this essence of likability are the leisurely expressions the artists are showcasing. Each singer features a hearty grin with an abundance of genuinity. The smiles are relaxed and telling, and they instill the sense that perhaps a joke or a thoughtful conversation had just been exchanged. Jagger slightly tilts his head to the side, and Tosh appears to be almost laughing; these small details are key to conveying the simplicity that is the photo’s goal. Despite these hints towards a common sense of humanness, it goes without saying that these artists’ faces are unmistakable, and their fame is immediately known by most viewers; each artist was and is among the most referenced and beloved music-makers the world has ever seen. This sense of fame evoked by the artists’ faces coupled with the humanity that their appearances elicit solidifies an intangible ambience that makes the photo as intriguing as it is multi-faceted. One the one hand, the musicians appear to be just like you and me. On the other hand, they are known to be famous beyond compare. In an ironic twist, the simplicity portrayed by the image conjures perhaps an even more ambiguous interpretation of the singers by solidifying them as a rare combination of common men and honored idols.

Another means by which the image constructs opposing perspectives of the singers it depicts is through its utilization of black and white imagery. The entire image is in black and white, and this was a purposeful artistic tactic used by the photographer, as color was obviously an option at the time of the photo’s release. This strategy is twofold. One, the black and white evokes a sense of nostalgia and is reminiscent of a “simpler time” in which photos could only be taken in these colors. In this light, the artists are made to seem relatable in the sheer sense that they are depicted in a basic manner and are linked to a simple time, which people often yearn for. Behind this old-fashioned choice lies a second motive: the furthering of the audience’s “otherworldly” sense of the singers. If the imagery makes the artists seem down to earth, it also solidifies them as the complex and intangible stars that they are. The black and white creates a sense of dissociation from the rest of the world, and this dissociation is coupled with the singers’ known stardom to usher in a sense of unique greatness and awe among the viewers.

The argument this image makes is thoroughly facilitated by the ever-developing contexts that surround these artists. Of course, at the time this photo was released, each of these musicians had already asserted themselves to be among the greatest artists ever to perform, which went a long way in establishing a sense of ethereality among them in 1978. However, in the several decades that followed, a distinct and inspiring legacy would come to surround each of these stars, the likes of which would make them pop culture legends while also imparting emotional associations that allowed the general public to empathize and relate to them. Within ten years of the release of this photo, both Bob Marley and Peter Tosh had died. Marley passed away in 1981 of skin cancer, and Tosh was murdered in his home in 1987 by armed robbers. These deaths were overwhelmingly devastating for fans around the globe, as each artist passed so suddenly and was struck down in the midst of an already fabled career, the likes of which promised to bring joy and memories to the world for decades. Marley and Tosh’s abrupt passings made them staunchly human while also placing them on pedestals of mysticism. On one hand, their deaths proved that they were people just like everyone else, subject to the randomness of a cruel world. The public was made to be acutely aware of the preexisting but often underlying truth that fame is just a facade, and we are all truly the same underneath. On the other end of the spectrum, Marley and Tosh’s deaths made their talents even more intangible and their identities even more abstract. The mere fact that both artists were no longer alive made their music a rarer, more esoteric commodity whose fame grew as time went on. In addition, as the 1980s faded from view, so too did the memories and understandings of these singers dissolve into abstract concepts. The quotes, personalities, and beliefs of Marley and Tosh became something of folklore, and this increased intrigue and uncertainty made them all the more beloved as the years went on.

The modern context surrounding Mick Jagger is quite different than that of Marley and Tosh, but it is reflective of a similar reinforcement of the paradoxical interpretations elicited by the photograph. Not only is Mick Jagger still alive, but he is continues to perform with The Rolling Stones at the age of 76. The Stones are arguably the most famous band ever to perform, and they certainly are among the longest-standing. This legacy links Mick Jagger to an aura of fame and ethereality that is unmatched even by the likes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, and the fact that he is still performing only serves to further his spectacularity and make him more special than perhaps any musician to ever exist. The different contexts surrounding these artists serve to evoke a converging assertion of both their humanity and otherworldliness.

Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Mick Jagger are three of the most legendary human beings ever to bless the world with their gifts. Humble, talented, principled, and beloved, these three showed what it truly meant to be great, reaching far beyond their musical talent to leave inspiring legacies. This photograph of them gushing backstage like three schoolchildren is one that touches people of every background and from every part of the world, evoking a surreal sense of appreciation, heartbreak, and everything in between. This picture conveys these artists as relatable, down-to-earth figures while also hinting that they are pioneers that should be revered as abstract and unreplicable creators. The photo accomplishes this combination by portraying the artists as instantly recognizable and leisurely dressed, employing a twofold utilization of black and white imagery, and by benefiting from the modern context that surrounds these artists. This crafty and beautiful image insinuates the valuable lesson that some people can do things that no one else can, and in this sense the world is not a balanced place. However, people that have unmatched talents are human just like the rest of us, and that commonality is what allows the world to share and revel in such greatness.