Bob Marley festival 2013 Celebrating Bob Marley- A tribute to the legend

Out of Jamaica came a star singing hellfire, revolution and biblical beginnings. Bob Marley is a hero for many reggae fans around the globe which also engulf generations of Arunachalee youngsters who grew up listening to the Reggae legends biggest hit numbers. Everyone loves Bob Marley, which may be why so many singers claim him as an inspiration. With his superb songs and arrangements, his rapt appearance and charismatic stage personality, Bob Marley and his group, the Wailers, won audiences for reggae all over the world, and influenced countless other musicians.  Marley is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the world and has the great ability to inspire people in every race and culture. His songs are great way to inspire people to come together. Generations of Arunachalee youngsters too have grown up listening to the music of reggae legend.

And to commemorate “Revolutionary artist” and “Rasta Prophet” birthday (Revolutionary artist” and “Rasta Prophet” are just a few names that people all over the world would recognize Bob Marley with) Phoenix Rising, an event management group based in Itanagar headed by Bobby Hano a diehard fan of Bob Marley organized a great music festival on March 2, 2013 with the theme “music for peace and brotherhood” as a tribute to legendary revolutionary and to celebrate his birthday in Itanagar & Naharlagun-the twin capital city of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Arunachalees Tribute to the Reggae Legends-Bob Marley Festival featured the biggest and brightest stars from the NE region. Jengging Vibes, Daniel and Soul Rebels, Lone Stallion and Roots Reggae band and Taba Chake, an independent acoustic solo guitar artist are just some of the artists who performed for Arunachal tribute to “Rasta Prophet” Bob Marley. 

The Dree ground, located at Papu Nallah in between Itanagar and Naharlagun on March 2nd wore a festive look. Hundreds of Bob Marley enthusiasts descended there to toast to great musician who managed to inspire generations of youth across the globe. Organized by Phoenix Rising event management group, the festival witnessed scintillating performances from many bands of the region.

All the bands paid tribute to the legendary musician by playing his numbers as the whole arena stood and swayed to the insinuating rhythms and reiterated chants of the different bands with their hours-long, almost mystical performances playing the hit numbers of Bob Marley. However, the evening belonged to Roots Reggae Band from Shillong. The beautiful sisters’ duo of Elaine Wallang and Andrea Tariang won hearts of all present at the ground with their mystic performance. Adding to the spice, Gino Thangkiew, a talented youngster, spruced up the evening with some breathtaking performance.

The air was filled with reggae atmosphere and crowd for the moment went to the era of 70’s as a documentary on late Marley was played. The event organizer, Bobby Hano expressed joy over the successful conduct of festival and exuded hope to make it an annual feature.

A documentary film on Ziro Festival of Music held last year was also screened during the festival. Food court, tarot card reader, photo display of renowned photographers of the state such as Arif Siddique, Jummar Basar, Dewan Gamlin, Luvjoy Choker and etc were other added attraction of the festival. This was one festival which you should have not afforded to miss.

Many people came to this festival because they love Marley’s music so much. One of diehard fans of Bob Marley says that BOB wasn’t just a singer; he was a man who changed my life and taught me many things about my life, even though I didn’t know him. When I listen to his songs I feel like I’m in another place, His songs always make me happy. I highly recommend listening to his songs and getting to know his amazing world!

A day long celebration not only featured musical personalities and their performances from neighboring state. Besides, on the sideline painting, calligraphy, face paint etc were the few activities which enthralled the Reggae Fans who Got Up, Stood Up for his Birthday.

Know your Reggae Legend: Bob Marley-

Bob Marley was the most popular Reggae singer in the world. He was born in Jamaica on February 6, 1945. He started to learn music and write songs when he was 17 years old. When he grew up he established a band called “The Wailers.”  Around that time he joined the Rastafarian Movement and started to grow his hallmark – his dreadlocks.

Bob started writing many famous songs, like: “One Love,” “Three little birds,” and “Redemption Song.” Almost all his songs talk about love, politics and freedom.

On May 11, 1981 Bob Marley died from cancer. His last words to his son were: “money can’t buy life.”

Nesta Robert "Bob" Marley, (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rock steady and reggae bands The Wailers (1963-1974) and Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.

Marley's music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, and he is
considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica.

His best-known hits include "I Shot the Sheriff", "No Woman, No Cry", "Could You Be Loved", "Stir It Up", "Get Up Stand Up", "Jamming", "Redemption Song", "One Love" and, "Three Little Birds", as well as the posthumous releases "Buffalo Soldier" and "Iron Lion Zion". The compilation album Legend (1984), released three years after his death, is reggae's best-selling album, going ten times Platinum which is also known as one Diamond in the U.S., and selling 25 million copies worldwide.