The 79th birthday anniversary of reggae icon Robert Nesta Marley is slated for commemoration on Feb. 6, the date he was born in Nine Miles, a rural village located in the parish of St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica.
However, an early fete in Montego Bay, Jamaica recently launched a series of tributes in his honor.
The event billed “One Love ’79: People Get Ready” concert combines the title of a song written by Curtis Mayfield, which became a global sensation when Marley branded it “One Love.”
The early tribute culled the likes of Nadine Sutherland, Richie Spice, Queen Ifrica and emerging star Black Am I for a spirited session, which according to reports attracted tourists, fans and new converts to a legacy fraught with music, Rastafarian philosophy and call to action.
Sutherland, an early benefactor performed selections from Marley’s storied songbook. She chose sing-along songs – “Turn Your Lights Down Low,” “Simmer Down” and “One Love” the unifying single which has emerged an anthem and perhaps the signature song of his career.
Others chose selections from their own discography to hail the avowed king of reggae. During a one-hour set, Spice seemed to amplify the life-long message Marley tried to impart to a global audience.
His own “Earth A Run Red” composition seemed to resonate as an intoxicating reprise of Marley’s infectious delivery. He earned two encores to close the tribute.
According to the Jamaica Observer, Spice said: “It was a good vibration, it was a pleasure to have been here,” it was a joy, I give thanks for the whole vibration keeping the music up and running.”
In addition, Spice attributed his entire music career to Marley.
“It means a lot to me because Bob set the pace so I and I as the younger generation could keep on keeping on and have something that we could look up to likewise.”
Reportedly, newcomer Black Am I was not short on words hailing the legendary singer/musician.
Two years ago he captivated audiences at a similar birthday gathering marking the 17th annual celebrations of the life and music of Bob Marley hosted by Our Story Entertainment, a cultural entity which promotes Jamaica’s heritage.
Ifrica combined hits from her catalogue — “Lioness On the Rise,” “Proud of Me” with Marley’s infectious tracks to define the honoree as a rebel.
Last year she joined Marcia Griffith for a rousing tribute which culminated with a series of concerts marking the “Easy Skanking 78th Earthstrong” celebrations of the first Third World superstar.
This year’s Second City tribute will be streamed on Tuff Gong YouTube channel on Feb. 6.
Marley’s annual celebrations have become an annual calendar item since 2008 when the government of Jamaica instituted a reggae month salute to the genre.
Prior to that, in 2005 Rita, Marley’s widow hosted a 60th birthday bash in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which attracted a record 350,000 crowds to Meskel Square, which featured the Marley family, Lauryn Hill, Marcia Griffiths, Benin superstar Angelique Kidjo, Teddy Afro, Bob Andy as well as numerous luminaries of the reggae genre performed stellar tributes.
Dubbed “Africa Unite” the month-long tribute included a symposia held at the United Nations there.
The African honors also combined a dinner and tributes held at the home and palace of former Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Family members of HIM’s dynasty attended the historic celebrations.
Marley visited Ethiopia in 1978 and reportedly regarded the African nation as his spiritual birthplace.
The following year in 2006, a tribute was held in Accra, Ghana.
Here in New York similar commemorations will be held at SOB’s nightclub as well as the Sony Club.
Marley died at age 36 on May 11, 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida.
Marley is buried at his Nine Miles birthplace in Jamaica.
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