Music Banter - View Single Post - REGGAE WEEK: Your favourite Reggae artist and why?

skanker · 08-14-2010, 12:14 AM

Well, I am an oldie, it is true. But it is hard to beat Marley. I am an American, but I lived in west Kingston (de war zone, de concrete dungle) from 1977 through 1979 and saw him several times at the National Stadium in Kingston Town. Marley has had an influence not only greater than any other ska, rock steady or reggae musician, but a greater influence than ANY musician. People say the Beatles, or Elvis or Nirvana. Shoot - I have lived in Africa, China, Papua New Guinea, the Middle East. Say Beatles and most people have a blank look on their face. But in Dakar or in Chengdu or Port Moresby or Colombo or Suva you see Marley t-shirts everywhere. Not Michael Jackson, not 2Pac, Marley. Simple. Read my lips. Marley. He has had transformative power. He is known to billions who were born after he died. And he was only here such a short time - came to international attention in the late seventies and was dead by 1981. He is the single most powerful and influential figure in modern music history. A message demanding recognition, demanding equality, a message heard around the world. And a message connecting even more strongly than ever even today. Get Up, Stand Up. No Woman No Cry. Redemption Songs. Yes, I, Marley a de one, de tru one, de dread one. A no joke me mek....It is Marley. Period.

08-14-2010, 12:14 AM	#16 (permalink)
skanker Groupie Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1	Marley Well, I am an oldie, it is true. But it is hard to beat Marley. I am an American, but I lived in west Kingston (de war zone, de concrete dungle) from 1977 through 1979 and saw him several times at the National Stadium in Kingston Town. Marley has had an influence not only greater than any other ska, rock steady or reggae musician, but a greater influence than ANY musician. People say the Beatles, or Elvis or Nirvana. Shoot - I have lived in Africa, China, Papua New Guinea, the Middle East. Say Beatles and most people have a blank look on their face. But in Dakar or in Chengdu or Port Moresby or Colombo or Suva you see Marley t-shirts everywhere. Not Michael Jackson, not 2Pac, Marley. Simple. Read my lips. Marley. He has had transformative power. He is known to billions who were born after he died. And he was only here such a short time - came to international attention in the late seventies and was dead by 1981. He is the single most powerful and influential figure in modern music history. A message demanding recognition, demanding equality, a message heard around the world. And a message connecting even more strongly than ever even today. Get Up, Stand Up. No Woman No Cry. Redemption Songs. Yes, I, Marley a de one, de tru one, de dread one. A no joke me mek....It is Marley. Period.