Happy Birthday Bob Marley: 5 Memorable Television Performances
By Andy Kahn Feb 6, 2017 • 11:01 am PST
Photo by Rick Malkin
World renowned musician Bob Marley was born on this date in Jamaica in 1945. The late reggae music legend was a mere 36-years-old when cancer took his life on May 11, 1981. The dreadlocked Rastafari became one of the most recognized and revered melody makers the world has ever known, compiling a globally beloved songbook that continues to be celebrated across generations and cultures.
In honor of the groundbreaking musician, here’s a celebratory collection of five memorable appearances Bob made for television during his abbreviated career. The videos are presented chronologically, starting with his UK TV debut in 1973 through an appearance in his native country in 1980. The videos feature his beloved staples such as “Stir It Up,” “Kinky Reggae,” “Positive Vibration,” “Roots Rock Reggae,” “Satisfy My Soul” and “Redemption Song.”
Marley’s first appearance on British television came on May 1, 1973 during an episode of the BBC’s The Old Grey Whistle Test. Bob and The Wailers performed “Concrete Jungle” as well as “Stir It Up,” the latter of which can be viewed here:
In 1975 CBS aired the The Manhattan Transfer Show featuring New York City-based ensemble The Manhattan Transfer. The episode that aired on August 10, 1975 included the U.S. television debut of Bob Marley & The Wailers. Recorded before a live studio audience on June 21, 1975, watch the performance of “Kinky Reggae” below:
While on the Rastaman Vibration Tour Bob Marley & The Wailers performed in Amsterdam, Netherlands in June of 1976. While in the country, the group taped a performance for the Dutch television series TopPop at AVRO Studios in Hilversum. Below is “Positive Vibration” and video of “Roots Rock Reggae” from the taping:
Marley & The Wailers made an appearance on the BBC on June 22, 1978 during an episode of Top Of The Pops. Here’s their rendition of “Satisfy My Soul” from the live, in studio, performance:
Finally, this clip comes from a Jamaican TV broadcast in 1980. Bob and The Wailers’ guitarist Earl “Wya” Lindo perform a stripped-down acoustic rendition of “Redemption Song” in the video below:
