- Title: Bob Marley's family celebrates the reggae star's 75th birthday
- Date: 15th July 2020
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JULY 13, 2020) (REUTERS VIA ZOOM) (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGER AND SON OF BOB MARLEY, ZIGGY MARLEY, SAYING: "One of the most influential trip on me that I had with him was with me, my brother Stephen. Going to Zimbabwe for the independence celebration when Zimbabwe got its independence from England. And, you know, before that, there was a war, there was a civil war with guerrilla fighting and stuff like that. That was my first time going to Africa. And the significance to me was seeing how his music was a part of the liberation of an African nation. Because while we were and I was around - I was like a kid, it was so exciting to me. I was so like- I was just soaking everything up, it was so exciting. So, some of the guerrilla fighters would come up and would say, Bob, your music, when we're in a jungle, it was your music that helped us to carry on to achieve independence from the colonists. You know, so it was very - I would explain that - I think more subconsciously affected me then what I know, you know?"
- Embargoed: 29th July 2020 16:30
- Keywords: 75 Bob Marley anniversary birthday family jamaica music one love ziggy
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA + WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / UNKNOWN LOCATION / KINGSTON, JAMAICA / LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA + WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / UNKNOWN LOCATION / KINGSTON, JAMAICA / LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA00ACMX6C7H
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The family of Bob Marley is celebrating what would have been his 75th birthday with a variety of global events honoring the reggae legend.
"I think it's about sharing more of him with everyone. And kind of giving people more insight into him and just giving the next generation a chance to introduce themselves - him to them," said his son Ziggy Marley.
"Mostly it just spreading the love, you know, that we have for him and each other. Using him as the medium."
Before COVID-19 shutdowns, Ziggy had planned to tour with his brother performing their father's music. Now on July 19, the date of Bob's 75th birthday, Ziggy will perform a special virtual reality concert that will air on Bob Marley's official YouTube channel, with select songs available on the VR platform, CEEK.
"We had a great, great time doing it, it was fun. I mean, we haven't played together as a band for a while because it's been a while and it was very like, you know, liberating for like us. You know, play some music with my band and just enjoy it and play my father songs and add another level to it, so. Just that, kind of like, freedom and release and relief?"
The family will also celebrate his legacy with the release of the album "Legend" as a picture disc. In addition to, the launch of a limited-edition Tuff Gong Radio Channel on Sirius/XM, where fans can plant trees funded by the streams his music, called "Stream for Trees."
Bob's daughter, Cedella Marley and the family will also use Bob's "iconic anthem One Love to support UNICEF's work to reimagine a fairer, more just world for children whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic."
In all, Ziggy said his father's legacy is simple: "He was a good human being, you know, a good human being who cared about other human beings. And used his voice and his money to help other human beings… a person you can connect with, you know?"
(Production: Alicia Powell) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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