Ziggy Marley will be featured at this Sunday’s Reggae Night at the Hollywood Bowl, part of KCRW’s World Festival. And while EVERY Reggae Night I’ve ever been to has been a blast, I’m especially looking forward to this one. I have a special connection to Ziggy Marley that goes back a few years. Like many people, his dad Bob Marley was a huge part of my musical upbringing, especially in my teenage years. Ziggy was in the studio with his dad starting at a young age and eventually released 8 albums with the Melody Makers.
When he was touring behind his giant hit “People Get Ready”, I happened to be in New York City interning at the local CBS TV station. One of the camera operators also worked on David Letterman and invited me to visit the studio. So I journeyed over one afternoon and got to not only walk out on the stage (they wouldn’t let me sit in Letterman’s chair, but I did ask!) but sit in the audience while Ziggy and the Melody Makers soundchecked. There were literally 4 other people in the room. It was such an amazing experience, and the closest I had been to a musician of his caliber.
I was so overjoyed to find a video of it to share with all of you and I hope to see you on Sunday!
RR
p.s.: Ziggy released his 4th solo record, “WILD AND FREE”, in June and you can enjoy a highlight below
p.p.s. Ziggy helped curate the Bob Marley exhibit at the Grammy Museum in LA which commemorates the 30th anniversary of his father’s death.
And I leave you with this.
Ziggy Marley – love is my religion (acoustic) by Brother Rićhard