Bob Marley and me

This week "Marley," the new Bob Marley documentary hits the screens in many countries. Naturally, the official U.S. release date is 4/20. The film is terrific and I have a small role in finally telling the reggae legend’s story on film.

While in New York City after a gig at Madison Square Garden, Bob Marley learned that he had terminal brain cancer. He headed to Pittsburgh anyway, travelling by bus with his band The Wailers for a gig at the Stanley Theater two days later in what turned out to be his final concert on September 23, 1980.

Road Trip

On that same day 32 years ago I also road tripped to the Stanley Theater to be at the show, although nobody in the crowd knew what the world would learn soon after, that Marley was very, very sick.

I was a sophomore at Kenyon College in Ohio at the time. Having grown up a rock kid in the suburbs of New York City, I was already a concert veteran by then, having caught dozens of bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Ramones, Black Sabbath, Frank Zappa, and the Grateful Dead plus classic blues artists like Muddy Waters and Albert King.

But when I first heard Bob Marley blasting from my friend Ned’s dorm room at the beginning of freshman year, it was like nothing I had heard before. I was hooked and bonded immediately with the others partaking in Marley’s music and all that goes with it.

My friends and I just had to be at that Stanley Theater show, so we drove four hours to catch it. For some reason, I felt compelled to borrow a friend's excellent camera outfit complete with telephoto lens. It was a cosmic thing because I had never brought my own camera to a show before. Since the big Canon looked "official" back in the days of film cameras, the staff let me fire away from anywhere I wanted. Somehow I managed to focus the unfamiliar camera even though we had "prepared" for the show for the entire drive.

The show was epic. The i-Threes opened (Marley's wife Rita Marley, plus Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths) and I still recall them swaying in time to the music. They did three songs before Bob came out to thunderous applause. He was dancing the entire 90 minute show except for the acoustic "Redemption Song" which he performed laid back and solo. They did three encores as if Bob just didn't want to leave the stage. Nobody in the audience knew that Bob was sick. His energy level was extremely high and he had total command of the audience.

My resulting photos didn't see the light of day for several decades. Then 2 years ago, the Marley family released a live album of that Stanley Theater show.

Content drives action

When I noticed that the photos used in the live album packaging were not actually from the Stanley gig, I left a message in my Amazon review of the CD: "If anyone from the label reads this, I have some great photos from the show."

Little did I know that a film was in the works from Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald.

"One of the challenges with Bob is that there's so little great archive footage," says Macdonald. Marley's last show was a critical aspect of the film and there was no video or photo record... except mine.

The weird vibe of borrowing the camera and reviewing the CD came full circle when the filmmakers, who had read those reviews, contacted me.

I'm not trying to make a marketing lesson out of this story, but had I not posted content in the form of that Amazon review of the CD, the world would never have seen photos of Bob Marley's last concert.

"Of course you can use my photos!," I said. And for a little added ego boost, I got a credit in the film.

"Marley" the film

In the trailer, the first two stills are mine.

Direct link to "Marley" trailer on YouTube.

"Marley" is a terrific film even if you aren’t a fan. My wife watched the screener with me and she loved it too.

Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet has only grown in the past three decades. "Marley," is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

Bob Marley's music became an important part of my life. So much so that on a visit to Jamaica in the mid-1980s, I even traveled several hours by car to Bob's childhood home in the village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish.

"I think what's great about the film," says Bob's oldest son, David "Ziggy" Marley, "is though there's been a lot of things done on Bob, I think this one will give people a more emotional connection to Bob's life as a man. Not just as a reggae legend or a mythical figure, but his life as a man, you know? The struggles he went through."

Ziggy is right. The film does provide an emotional connection to Bob Marley. I'm amazed that through some remarkable serendipity and cosmic 420 vibes, I played a small part in bringing this story to the world.

Comments

[T.R. Dellin]

David, How fortunate you were to see Bob live and to capture images of the show and that you held on to the pictures after all these years. Funny to think there were no other photos of this show, so different from today where everyone in the audience in snapping pics with their phones. Bob is certainly one of the all time greats and it was a tragic loss. Looking forward to seeing the film.

[LisaMarieMary]

What a wonderful story! The serendipitous, full-circleness of it is just way too cool. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I can't wait to see the documentary.

[Marcia Forbes]

It was great to watch it in a jam-packed Emancipation Park, Jamaica, last night. The vibes/spirit was incredible and the film looked wonderful on the large screen. Kudos to its producers and Director MacDonald. One Love!

[MattoTodd]

when i click the banner at the top of the page, it just loads the image (FF Browser)

[David Meerman Scott]

T.R. and Lisa - I know. I was lucky but somehow I am convinced that fate was involved.

Marcia - Amazing! It would have been so cool to be there with you. I want to see a photo.

Matto - click the "Marley" link right below the banner. It goes to the film Facebook page.

[generate marketing]

Bob Marley is epic and yes he is always one good artist with music videos going viral.. You are one lucky guy David to come and see one of his shows.I really wanted to see Bob perform,I am one of his supporters and a fan.

[Ned]

David, this is so cool. Hard to believe it was 32 years ago that we would take the Blue Flame for a road trip to the Stanley that would turn out to be his last concert. To this day I still tell everyone I know when listening to some Marley that "I was at his last concert" and didn't even know it....I remember you going down practically onto the stage to take those pics. We all wondered where you had gone. Little did we know.

[David Meerman Scott]

Ned! So great to hear from you! Yes, you were the one who was playing Bob Marley in Mather way back when we were 18.

The Blue Flame did us proud that night. I tell everyone I know about it too!!

The film is terrific. And my pics really are the only known visual record of that show. I was sent an early copy of the film - it is great. The Stanley show features big time in the film and my pics are on screen for a few minutes.

[Pam McNamara]

David,

I was fortunate enough to see Marley live in at Uptown Theater in Chicago on Nov. 13, 1979 during the "Survival Tour".

I remain a major fan of all types of music and still love going to shows. But seeing Marley perform remains the musical highlight of my life.

Thanks for sharing your passion and photos. I'll be off to see the movie this weekend.

Here is Roger Ebert's Review, Chicago Sun Times --

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120418/REVIEWS/120419980

[David Meerman Scott]

Pam, cool that you caught Bob Marley too. I also continue to go to shows at a good clip. I've seen nearly 500 bands live. Enjoy the film!

[Ringo66]

David,

Thank you for sharing such a great story! As you well know Bob Marley was not just a fantastic musician, but an inspiration to millions of people worldwide. Amazing that even 32 years after his death his message of love and unity seem to be 10x stronger. We all can learn something from him!

Joe K

PS: Coincidentally, my wife's hands down favorite song is "3 Little Birds." Both of our daughters sing it constantly and Bob's message in the song is our family mantra. Thanks again for sharing.

[Yemi]

Mr David!
"I'm not trying to make a marketing lesson out of this story, but had I not posted content in the form of that Amazon review of the CD, the world would never have seen photos of Bob Marley's last concert."

This is so amazing!

Very cool man!

[Avil Beckford]

David,

My heart is so full, thank you for this post. I'm a Jamaican-Canadian and I loved Bob Marley. I never went to any of his concerts, because I always thought there would be time to see him perform - I have lots of his music and my favourite is Three Little Birds.

My friend Patricia Scarlett produced the documentary, Ras Ta a Soul's Journey, which was released to a select audience during February 2012, Black History Month. Bob Marley's granddaughter, Donisha Prendergast tells the story of rastas and Bob and Rita are in it. I was fortunate to attend the first screening which was held at The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Here is the link to the trailer http://youtu.be/O6l2heZssJ0.

Thanks again for this lovely post.
Thanks again for this post.

[Andy Strote]

David,

Nice post! I will find this doc. Two things to add:

i was just in Negril and caught Marcia Griffiths in concert on the beach. Not a great video, but here's what it was like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH2vuDCLn7w&feature=relmfu

BTW, she's included in a reggae package tour that's about to hit North America.

Avil mentioned the song Three Little Birds. I think it's gotta be the real Jamaican national anthem. I caught the tail end of the Negril Mento Band doing the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhhCPUleGbg&feature=relmfu

I love these guys! And lastly, yep, I've been to Nine Mile to do the tour. A 4/20 moment as soon as you get out of the car.

Happy for your pictures and memories of an historic concert.

[David Meerman Scott]

Joe & Avil - 3 Little Birds is just a happy song. Love it. Here is a cool version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqqWfsIxbPo

Avil - thanks for the trailer. I will check it out.

Andy - Thanks for the vids. I'd love to catch the tour. What is Nine Mile like now? When I went there was absolutely no tourist infrastructure. It was just me, my girlfriend, and our driver. Bob Marley's uncle emerged from behind a house and showed us around. It was very laid back. This would have been in 1986.

[David Meerman Scott]

For all the three little birds fans, TracyChapman's version is killer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xA9pfaGGXg

[Andy Strote]

David
I was at Nine Mile 7 years ago. No tourist infrastructure to speak of, other than more people going there. But the neighbours are ready for you with some offerings to get you in the right mood. Other offers of tours of local "gardens". All for a little contribution of course. But, that's OK. It was great to see, and a memory of a lifetime for my son who was really getting into reggae and dancehall. We also managed to make it to a real roadside dancehall party one night. Only two tourists (white guys) there. My son knew most of what the DJ was spinning, so it wasn't long before they got talking and he was invited into the booth. Jerk chicken and Red Stripe by the ocean. Great night!

Andy

[Raul Colon]

Catching up on my blog reading this has been the coolest thing I have read in quite some time! I am big fan of Bob and being from the caribbean and even bigger fan of reggae.

Can't wait to see the film! Congrats on having your pictures published on that experience of seeing a legend!

[David Meerman Scott]

Andy - that's cool that Nine Mile hasn't turned into Disneyland. In a way it's good that its a bit remote. Good for you to do that dancehall party. I've never done that.

Raul - The film is great. Yes, I was lucky and it makes for a cool story. Thanks for commenting.

[Anne Sorensen]

Hi again David .. just catching up on my blog reading! :) This is such a great story. What a buzz and great memories. I know you weren't trying to make a marketing lesson of it ..but yes - if you weren't "co-creating value" on Amazon the inclusions would never have happened. Will look out for the movie. :) Take care and 'rock on'. :)

[David Meerman Scott]

Anne - you'll like the movie! Not sure when it is opening in Australia but I'm sure it would be soon.