A special concert honoring reggae legend Bob Marley is set to take place on what would have been his 80th birthday. The Reggae Origins: Bob Marley & Handsworth Reggae concert will be held at Birmingham’s Town Hall on Thursday, bringing together renowned reggae musicians and classical artists in a unique fusion performance.
Basil Gabbidon, a founding member of the Handsworth-born reggae band Steel Pulse, will collaborate with musicians from the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) for the event. The concert will feature brand-new arrangements of songs from the Birmingham reggae scene, along with some of Bob Marley‘s greatest hits, blending classical strings with a full band to create a distinctive sound.
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Gabbidon reflected on the enduring legacy of reggae and Bob Marley‘s influence, noting how the genre has continued to thrive worldwide. “When you hear Bob Marley’s music, it’s always been there,” he said. He also expressed excitement for the upcoming concert, emphasizing his passion for musical fusion. “I love fusion, and I think it’s something that needs to be put across—that all music basically is one music.”
Gabbidon had initially approached BCMG a few years ago to develop the project, but at the time, funding was not available. Now, with the concert finally coming to fruition, he sees it as an opportunity to celebrate reggae’s rich history and its lasting impact on Birmingham’s musical landscape.
Steel Pulse, formed in 1975 by school friends from Handsworth Wood Boys School, became the first non-Jamaican act to win a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. Gabbidon credited Marley’s Catch A Fire album and the track “Concrete Jungle” as major inspirations for his musical journey. “If it wasn’t for that album, I don’t think Steel Pulse would have been born,” he shared.
The concert will also pay tribute to the role of the Windrush Generation in bringing reggae music from Jamaica to the UK. “They brought the culture, you could say the music culture,” Gabbidon explained. He highlighted how Birmingham, and Britain as a whole, have embraced a cross-cultural fusion, blending various musical influences over time.
As the world commemorates Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, Reggae Origins will stand as a testament to his enduring influence and the ever-evolving reggae scene. The concert promises to be a celebration of both history and innovation, uniting past and present through the power of music.
