On Feb. 6th, 2015, one of the most renowned musical artists of the last fifty years, revolutionary Reggae icon Bob Marley would have been 70 years old. To commemorate the legacy of the Legend and his importance in the history of global music, there will be a variety of special releases and events this year. A celebration that will last through-out 2015, Bob Marley’s legacy will continue on with new releases of rare and unreleased material as well as deluxe editions of his most memorable work.
To musically mark this milestone, for the first time, the Marley family has allowed unprecedented access for UMe a division of the Universal Music Group to cherry pick from their personal and private collections of unreleased material. The label has been able to work closely with the Marley family, ensuring the highest possible quality, integrity and detail to honor the Marley legacy.
Together with Tuff Gong International and UMG, a new offering of Marley material will hit the market including a stock of Marley material composed of new & unreleased material, both audio and video formats, reissued albums, interviews, and long awaited live sets. Universal intends to announce more new releases throughout the year and have been said that they “are sure to please longtime fans and collectors with rare and unearthed treasures, as well as deluxe editions of key albums with bonus material.” Read into the details below to find out more about whats in store.
Easy Skanking In Boston ’78
The first music to be released is available on February 17th as a Blu-ray-or-DVD/ CD paring. Containing the first set from two historic live shows at Boston’s Music Hall on June 8, 1978, Bob Marley & The Wailers: Easy Skanking In Boston ’78, features a new and unreleased performance of a handful of Marley’s most infamous songs. Among the 13 tracks, highlights of the performance include an energetic “Jammin’” and “The Heathen.” Check out the full track list below.
Read more about this release here.
So Much Things to Say Interview
Tuff Gong International has just released a reissue of a rare thirty-five minute interview with Bob Marley. Originally released on their record label in 1982, only RAS Records has reissued the album as a CD in 1995. Now, Tuff Gong International will digitally release So Much Things to Say, from 1973’s interview by legendary Jamaican DJ and Journalist Neville Willoughby. The recording, combined with background tracks, has been digitally remastered and re-edited by Marley’s wife, Rita, and their daughter, Cedella Marley. “So Much Things to Say”, is available on iTunes in commemoration of Bob Marley’s 70th birthday on February 6th, and on cd and vinyl later this year.
Read more about this release here.
Photography Exhibits
Those in New York or LA have a unique chance to view new photography collections of Marley. Among the three exhibits one features shots by a collection of photographers while two displays feature work by individual photojournalist who had the opportunity to work with the artist between 1975-76.
Read more about these events here.
Other Events
The Grammy Museum has also recognized the artist, declaring February 6 to be Bob Marley Day at the museum. As said in a recent Jamaica Gleaner interview with the Grammy Museum’s director, Bob Santelli, “The Grammy Museum will mark the 70th anniversary of Bob Marley’s birth by proclaiming February 6 ‘Bob Marley Day’ at the Grammy Museum.” Also revealed was word that the museum is planning a new Bob Marley exhibit set to tour around the United States and into Brazil.
The Grammy Museum’s first affiliate with the Bob Marley Museum will also host its own event. Many other events will take place the weekend of the 6th, as well as through the month of February and into the near future. Read more about these events here.
Additionally in honor of the celebration, we’ll see many other means of acknowledgements. Island Records UK on their Facebook page has taken a look back through the Island archive and picked out key fragments to share with fans over the week of Marley’s Birthday. Over on BobMarley.com‘s monthly episodes of a super fan-curated blog will feature stories and photos from Marley’s history-read episode 2 HERE.
Related Links:
Bob Marley Website
Bob Marley Facebook
Tuff Gong Website
Tuff Gong Facebook
Article By: Aaron Solomon