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Robert Nesta Marley was born on 6 February, 1945 and died of cancer on 11 May 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami at the age of 36 years. He received a state funeral in Jamaica on 21 May, 1981.
The band leader of Bulawayo based group Riddim Kings, James Banda said as reggae musicians, they felt there was need to mark Marley’s death as he was the man who popularised reggae music to the rest of the world. The event will be held tomorrow in Victoria Falls.
Banda said the show, meant to pay tribute to the King of reggae, will be held at Imvu at the Rest camp in the resort town.
“The event is being organised by Ras Dallas and this is the first time that we are participating in the Marley commemorations,” he said.
He said they will play their own compositions as well as do renditions of the legend’s songs.
Marley’s best known hits include I Shot the Sheriff, No Woman, No Cry, Could You Be Loved, Stir It Up, Jamming, Redemption Song, One Love and, together with The Wailers, Three Little Birds, as well as the posthumous releases Buffalo Soldier and Iron Lion Zion.
In Bulawayo, one of the people who have been in the forefront in championing Rastafarianism, Ras Gab Fire, real name Gabriel Munyaradzi Nyandoro, said they had moved their commemorations to coincide with Africa Day on 25 May.
Marley was one of the singers who sang passionately about the emancipation of the black men, love and peace. Africa Day is meant to celebrate the emancipation of the African continent from colonial bondage.
Gabz Fire said they want their show to cater for an older generation who appreciate conscious reggae, which gave birth to all forms of the genre.
“There have been a lot of concentration on the offshoots of conscious reggae like lover’s rock, dance hall and digital or ragga. This has left out those that love conscious reggae, so we want to appeal to that audience,” he said.
Gabz Fire said they were still putting together a number of acts that are to take part.
Marley, a singer, songwriter and musician, was the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the Ska, Rocksteady reggae band from 1964-1974. He later joined the Wailers in 1974-1981.
Marley remains the most widely known performer of reggae music and is credited for the spread of both Jamaican music and the Rastafarian movements to a worldwide audience.
Online Reporter