Back Issues of the Wailers News May 1997
Stephen Marley Solo Album-
Stephen Marley, still a member of the Melody Makers, is scheduled to record his own solo album sometime in the spring of 1997. The album will feature his father's music, remixed in a modern reggae style. Stephen is also set to do several "collaborations with prominent hip-hop and R&B artists". A full U.S. tour should follow. The release date and record label is unknown. Check back to the Wailers News for more information as it becomes known! {source: Boulder-Daily Camera}
The Marley's On Television-
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers appeared on the Fox Network television show "New York Undercover" on Thursday May 1. Also appearing with the group was Damian and Julian Marley. The Melody Makers performed a cover of their father's song "So Much Trouble" with Damian and Julian. Stevie Wonder also made a quest appearance on the show, although he did not perform. A repeat of this show is scheduled for sometime in the summer.
Bunny Wailer Concert Postponed-
Bunny Wailer's Madison Sqaure Garden concert, which was scheduled to take place on April 9th, was postponed until June 20th. The reason for the postponment is unclear, but reportedly it was due to visa problems. Other reports say that the postponment was due to dismal ticket sales. All tickets purchased for the April 9th show will still be good for the June 20th show.
Bunny is also scheduled to perform at the 14th Annual Reggae On The River Festival on August 2. Among the many other acts, Damian and Julian Marley, Burning Spear, Culture, Toots and the Maytals, and many more. For more information visit the Jammin' Reggae Archives section for Reggae On The River, by clicking here.
The 1997 Rockers Awards-
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were named the Best Vocal Group in the 1997 Rockers Awards, presented in Jamaica. Damian and Julian Marley also gave an "outstanding" performance. Cedella Marley was the presenter of many of the night's awards. {source: Jamican-Daily Gleaner}
Julian and Damian Marley along with Bunny Wailer, and many other Jamaican music stars and Jamaican celebrities, played a game of football (that's soccer for Americans), to benefit the Maxfield Park Children's Home in Jamaica. The event featured 2 matches, the first was between professional Jamaican football players with various Jamaican celebrities taking on the Jamaican Football Referees Association. The second match featured Jamaican DJ's (Snagga Puss, Spragga Benz, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and more) taking on Jamaican reggae Singers (Bunny Wailer, Freddie McGregor, the Marley sons, and many others). Bob Marley's music was played throughout the event at the Harbour View Mini Stadium. {source: Jamaican-Daily Gleaner}
Wailers Band Tour Dates
Since reforming the Wailers Band, the group has already scheduled several European dates and a few American dates:
New Releases-
Live Bob Marley & The Wailers - For the first time on CD, 2 Bob Marley & The Wailers' shows are now available. The first is entitled "Live At Santa Barbara '79", and is from the November 27, 1979 show that they played at the Santa Barbara County Bowl in California. The other is entitled "Gabon '80", and is from the January 5, 1980 show in Libreville, Gabon in Africa. This show is one of only two times Bob Marley ever played in Africa. Both releases are on the Msi/WEA label, and are available only as Japan imports. Fans can expect to pay around $35 for each double-CD set. Both albums were released on April 15th, and can be found in most music stores.
Jammin' With The Simpsons-
Fans of the Simpsons and of Bob Marley & The Wailers got a special treat on Sunday April 13th, when in the final minutes of the show, Springfield police officers were heard smokin' ganja, and singing along with Bob Marley & The Wailers on the tune, "Jammin'". Simpsons' creator Matt Groening is not new to reggae, because in the early 1980's, he was a music journalist, mainly focusing on reggae album reviews. Groening was also business partners with Beat magazine co-founder, C.C. Smith in the early '80s, forming Bongo Productions.
Have you missed previous issues of the Wailers News? Don't worry, just click HERE! to visit our back issues page.
The Bob Marley One Love Football Match-
The Best Of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers - Virgin Records has released a 17-song retrospective of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers entitled, "The Best of 1988-1993". The Melody Makers are no longer on the Virgin label, but have been on the Elektra Records label since 1993. The album is merely a look back on their Virgin Records years, and features no previously unreleased songs. The album is available in stores now.
Natty Dread Inna Jazz Stylee - Jazz legend Charlie Hunter and his band The Charlie Hunter Quartet, have just released a cover album of Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Natty Dread" album. The album is part of the Blue Note Cover Series, and is on the Blue Note/Capitol Records label. The track list is the same as the Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Natty Dread" album. The album is available in stores now.
