Born in Jamaica in the sixties, the reggae is an authentic letter of introduction of the Caribbean

Reggae means more than a musical phenomenon for Jamaicans. It is the soul and life of a people who is grateful to Robert Nesta Marley for his symbolic work devoted to his country, a work that has gained a legendary and universal recognition. The origin of reggae is the result of an evolution process of Jamaican folk music which has its origins in ska, the antithesis of rhythm and blue, a rhythm born in the poor city areas of Kingston. This rhythm found its basic nutriment in mento, a rhythm that dates back to black slaves’ celebrations in Jamaica and in the 50’s became very popular throughout the nation. The influence of the Rastafarian movement, which philosophy is closely linked to African origin, was an important ingredient for the birth of this creature, when the gamut of instruments and rhythm patterns played at plantations, were incorporated. Illuminated also by steady rock, a genre with some -thing of rhythm and blue that made sensation in the 60’s, the talented composer knew how to combine all the expressions to make the contagious sound of reggae which could found its place in the history of universal music.

MARLEY: THE KING

The longest time for Bob Marley’ s cultural formation, born on January the 6th, 1945; took place in Kingston Doce, a poor neighborhood in the capital of Jamaica. His social background, together with poor people, influenced his messages of peace, rebelliousness, struggle and love expressed in all his interpretations that still delight millions of people in every corner of the planet. To many, reggae answered a real miracle. In spite of the fact that in 1964, Bob Marley made his first record with the Wailin Wailers, named Simmer Down –which was a hit-, he saw the doors to success closed and tried fortune in the United States, where he traveled two years later. Back in Jamaica, the brilliant musician regrouped the Wailin Wailers and since the 70’s, the unmistakable sound of reggae began to find more and more room in the list of rhythms played at discos and concerts with a devilishly impact on dancers and contractors. Since then, Marley’ s voice and the word Rastafari sounded in Eastern Caribbean and shyly got into Europe and the United States .

THE LEAP TO THE UNIVERSE

However, the big leap occurred in 1973 when Bob and his band made their first album Catch a Fire, highly acclaimed throughout the world. Little by little, Marley found a place in the paradise of myth. In 1975 he appeared in Kingston with American singer Steve Wonder and, that same year, he made a promotional tour in Europe recording his anthological No Woman, No Cry which became a hit around the globe. The music of this gifted man was a real boom in Europe and it reached its climax on June 28th, 1980; when the Caribbean singer gathered near 100 thousand people in Milan, Italy; setting a new record of attendance that knocked to pieces previous records of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. That was his last tour. Bob Marley died a year later, on May 11th, 1981, as a victim from cancer. This sad event put Jamaica in mourning and touched the heart of many people in Europe and the United States where, he is still remembered for his great performances at London Lyceum or Madison Square Garden, in New York. Nevertheless, the reggae stayed in the cultural patrimony of his people with an omnipresent rhythm, sensitive to the incorporation of new elements, which makes it be displayed in the show window of international music.

SUNSPLASH CHRONOLOGY

1977. First year when Sunsplash was celebrated. There were not many reporters present but the news spread and more than 120 reporters from several countries attended the second festival. 1979. July 2nd to the 5th. Bob Marley and The Wailers performed and offered the best reggae. Jamaica Tourist Board had more time to promote the festival and discovered that reggae was a good way to improve the economy of the country. 1980. July 2nd to the 5th. The Third Reggae Sunsplash was held in Kingston at Ranny Williams Entertainment Center. 1981. August 4th to the 8th. The festival was in Montego Bay. 1982. August 3rd to the 7th. The number of attendants was so large that Jarret park was not enough. 1983. June 28th to July the 2nd. It was held for the first time in Montego Freeport, in a place called Bob Marley Performing Center. 1984. July 7th to the 11th. The festival was preceded by a one-day concert in London’s Crystal Palace. 1985. August 6th to the 10th. Reggae Sunsplash went on a tour around 30 cities of The United States, getting into Europe between March and May. 1986. August 26th to the 30th. The spirit of this edition was a lot more Caribbean. 1987. August 18th to the 22nd. The 10th anniversary. It was very successful. 1988. August 15th to the 20th. A national contest on sound systems was introduced as first event within the festival. 1989. August 14th to the 19th. The evolution and improvement of all the integral components was felt in this edition. 1990. July 16th to the 21rst. It became another success with 60 performances, 16 bands and the presentation of 4 sound systems. 1991. July 26th to the 31rst. It was celebrated again at Bob Marley Performing Center, a Caribbean night was created with artists of Soca and Reggae Soca.

1992. August 3rd to the 8th. The AWorld Beat Night was introduced, making emphasis on African beats. 1993. The festival returned to Kingston. 1994. August the first to the 6th. Perhaps it was technically the best but the Reggae Sunsplash atmosphere was lost in a certain way. 1995. July 12th to the 14th. The festival was sold to Reggae Sunsplash International, its current owner. Reduced to four nights, many changes were introduced to assure its survival. 1996. August the first to the 4th. It was held in Chukka Cove, St. Ann, where it coincided with Jamaicas celebration of independence. The festival had a great foreign attendance.

REGGAE SUNSPLASH 1998:

From February the first to the 8th, Reggae Sunsplashs 20th edition was held in Ocho Rios, place where Bob Marley was born. The selection of this place was made taking into account the great number of events that are held there, its great attraction for tourism and because it was the place where the idea of the festival emerged. In this occasion, Bob Marleys Foundation joined efforts with the festivals organizers and increased the value of the event calling the attention on the singers 53 birthday (February 6th). The presence of the Marley’s Clan was not only musical, they also participated in various seminars and activities, showing the strength of this union in the name given to the festival this year: Bob Marley Week with Reggae Sunsplash. The festival celebrated at the White River Reggae Park, has shown great musical and cultural diversity, examining all the musical influences and looking into the future, strengthening the importance Marley has for Jamaica and reggaes history. All the members from the Marley Clan have been heard at the festival: Rita Marley and the I Threes, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Julian and Damian Marley and Mother Brooker, Bob Marleys mother. Reggae Sunsplash is a new opportunity for those who wish to know Jamaicas history and music, enjoying its beaches and tourist attractions at the same time.