Saturday, February 16, 2008

Bob Marley Music Lives On

Following our informative post on Bob Marley - The early days, covering Bob Marley music from his early beginnings, it's the month of the famous reggae star's birthday, which gets a lot of regard in his home of Jamaica, the home of Bob Marley music.

February 6th, 1945 was the birthday of Robert Nesta Marley. So on the Jamaican music calendar, thanks to Bob Marley music, the entire month of February is highly regarded in Jamaica. February 2008 has taken on even greater significance, thanks to a recent proclamation by the government of Jamaica which has declared February as Reggae Month.

On January 24th, an official announcement ceremony was made at Kings House, which is the residence of Jamaica's Governor General. Bruce Golding, Jamaica's Prime Minister noted the far-reaching influence of the island nation's indigenous music.

"There is no aspect of our culture that more clearly distinguishes us from the rest of the world than our music," he said. The Prime Minister also noted that throughout his travels, "some people know Marcus Garvey and Michael Manley, one or two may have heard of (Prime Ministers) P.J. Patterson, Edward Seaga or even Bruce Golding. But there is no country in the world where Bob Marley music is not known and recognized. Bob Marley music personifies Jamaican music."

"Reggae is the unique music that springs from the creative imaginations of a diverse people to become our musical voice to the world," continued Jamaica's Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall. "The greatest ambassador of reggae, Robert Nesta Marley so internationalized this extraordinary musical form that wherever Jamaicans go, people associate us first with Marley, and then with the many artists who have gloriously contributed to exposing Jamaica's rich culture."

So now its official. Bob Marley Music Lives On - Reggae rocks!

For some more information and even more importantly access to a huge online merchandise resource, we have a sister website at Bob Marley Posters where you'll find more than you thought possible online!

Bob Marley Music Page