Photo: Twitter
Greeting Sisters and Brothers, and all readers and viewers of the Black Star News. In this special installment of the Black Star News’ “From the Art Archive,” where we will honor the memory of musical master Bob Marley–who would’ve been 76 today.
From The Art Archive features music, poetry, and any artistic expression created by artists of African descent. Because of the strong Pan-African leanings of the Black Star News, we showcase artists who exhibit that sensibility–many of whom will not be household names in the Hollywood and MTV mold.
Bob Marley was a musical messenger unlike most musicians we often encounter. He was most concerned with the upliftment of the “downtrodden” people who heard his music–an approach that is typically anthema to the Holloywood-driven individualistic mentality which is now the pop music order of today.
Of course, this is why Bob Marley has never really been fully embraced by the so-called mainstream musical establishment—even in spite of the high praise he received from many and by major news outlets like Time Magazine and the New York Times. Bob’s orientation was very different from today’s music industry which cares only about the business of music sales above all else.
But Bob’s message of social justice and unity is again resonating after the 2020 summer of protests against police brutality and after the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Today, in honor of Brother Bob Marley’s birthday, the Black Star News will look at an important concert Bob had at Harvard Stadium, on July, 21, 1979 during the Amandla Festival. The great comedian Dick Gregory, an important friend of Bob’s, graces the stage before Bob’s performance and introduces Bob to the Boston crowd.