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"Il était au Bourget le 3 juillet 1980 (France) ": écoutez un extrait du show

"lointain souvenir!! mais toujours dans la tete!! quand t'as 12 ans a cette époque la ! ça marque!!
c'était je crois un jeudi....en groupe de 25 éleves..départ en bus pour le bourget..on se retrouve a environs 300 m de la scene...les wailers jouent..;)......
ensuite apparition du king BOB !! et la auparavant on avait tous acheté a l'époque j'me souviens 5 francs , une boite en cartons rectangulaire avec un jeu de glace a l'interieur..c'est comme ça que je l'ai vu!! un véritable souvenir ;) "

Témoignage de Stéphane pour BobMarleyArchive.

 

Palais de la Beaujoire, Nantes 2  juillet 1980 (France) :Bob Marley et Henry Michel Nantes 1980

"Incroyable, mais vrai. Bob Marley a joué dans le complexe de la Beaujoire le mercredi 2  juillet 1980. Il en coûtait 45 francs et 8 000 personnes ont suivi sa prestation. Les places ont été vendues en dix jours. Devant la salle, le soir même, certains étaient prêts à acheter la place 200 francs. L'après-midi du concert, Marley et ses musiciens mais aussi son cuisinier Guily et Desrousseaux dans les buts, ont disputé un match avec les joueurs professionnels du FC Nantes. Bob avait un bonnet de laine pour contenir ses  dreadlocks. Score final : 4 buts pour les pros et 3 pour Marley's band. Avec deux buts du petit Bob s'il vous plaît ! Les joueurs lui ont offert un maillot qu'il s'est empressé de mettre. Le concert fut Grandiose. En première partie, il y avait Rita Marley, sa compagne depuis une quinzaine d'années. Elle va jouer une vingtaine de minutes. Et puis, le rasta man débarque, la « rasta man vibration » fera son oeuvre en quelques secondes avec les Wailers. Il chanta ses plus grands succès dont « Redemption song », seul avec sa guitare, un hymne à la paix..."

Extrait de l'article de stéphane Pajot PRESSE-OCEAN (utilisation de cette article avec l'accord de l'auteur)

 

Le 4 juin 1980 à Dijon (France) : écoutez un extrait du show : Bob Marley à Dijon 1980

Une impardonnable erreur de calcul des ingénieurs manque de faire tomber à l’eau la venue de l’homme aux dreadlocks. « Au moment où ils ont posé le toit, tout s’est effondré ! Il ne restait rien, juste un amas de tôles. Nous étions à deux jours du concert et 9000 billets étaient déjà vendus », se remémore encore la goutte au front, Daniel Linuésa.

Dans l’après-midi du 4 juin, le car trimbalant Marley et son staff arrive au Parc des Sports. Thierry Binoche, ex leader-chanteur de Binoche and co, n’est pas près d’oublier l’instant. « Nous devions faire la première partie du concert avec mon groupe, mais rien n’était confirmé, l’ambiance était plutôt tendue. Lorsque la porte du bus s’est ouverte, la première chose qui en est sorti, c’est un ballon de foot. Je me souviens aussi du regard de braise que m’a lancé le chanteur »

Le climat se détend rapidement. Une partie de ballon rond s’improvise alors sur la pelouse piétinée du Parc, sept contre sept. Et au foot, Marley touche sa bille, Binoche moins, mais le moment est « inoubliable » pour le musicien dijonnais.

20 heures : Rita Marley et les I three’s  ouvrent le bal. Marley, la démarche nonchalante, entonne Natural Mystic face à 9000 spectateurs. « J’entends souvent des gens dire qu’il y avait 20 000, 25 000 personnes à ce concert, mais nous n’avons pas vendu tous les billets », précise Linuésa. L’ambiance est bon enfant au Parc, ce soir-là. Une épaisse fumée à l’étrange odeur euphorisante semble s’élever de la foule.    « Tout le monde danse, ça fume des joints dans tous les coins  », se rappelle Valérie. Les textes engagés du chanteur s’enchaînent : Positive vibration, Revolution, No women no cry. Grâce à un petit vent du nord, le centre ville tout entier profite du concert. Deux heures plus tard, Redemption song clôture ce qui devait être une des toutes dernières performances en public de Bob Marley.

Extrait de l'article de Roald Billebault LA GAZETTE DE COTE D'OR (utilisation de cette article avec l'accord de l'auteur)

 

Stadio Comunale di Torino (Italia 1980) :

Avevo 15 anni quando Bob Marley venne in Italia per due concerti e io ebbi la fortuna di riuscire ad accaparrarmi un biglietto per Torino. Arrivai allo stadio nel primo pomeriggio e lo stadio era già mezzo pieno, soprattutto il prato era già pieno di gente. Il pomeriggio passò tra la noia e l'ansia, tutti noi aspettavamo l'arrivo del nostro messia nero e quell'attesa fu riempita dalle esibizioni di un paio di artisti italiani di buon livello e dall'esibizione di un gruppo americano, la average white band che non fu molto apprezzato perché parte del pubblico cominciò a tirargli addosso di tutto: sacchetti della spazzatura, lattine, bottiglie... la povera band lasciò il palco in mezzo ai fischi. E poi, finalmente, all'imbrunire, i Wailers e le I-Threes salirono sul palco. L'atmosfera si surriscaldò e dopo 3 brani delle coriste, Bob comparve al suono del "Marley chant" intonato da Junior Marvin e Tyrone Downie.
Il momento in cui per la prima volta vidi Marley è ancora impresso nella mia mente: piccolo, con i lunghi dreadlocks che gli scendevano sulle spalle, l'incedere "regale"... fu come una visione, non avevo mai visto un Rasta prima di allora!
Inutile dire che il concerto fu straordinario non tanto da un punto di vista strettamente musicale, quanto da un punto di vista emozionale. Per me fu quasi irreale vedere Marley ballare e "fare la ruota" con i suoi lunghi capelli ed il pubblico -tutto il pubblico- cantare con lui "no woman no cry" mentre lo stadio si illuminava tutto di falò improvvisati, accendini, fiammiferi e qualunque altra cosa combustibile. Una notte davvera magica e perfetta. Un'altro momento emozionante fu quanto Bob intonò Redemption Song; all'epoca quasi nessuno conosceva quel brano perchè l'album Uprising in Italia era appena uscito, così rimanemmo tutti sorpresi nel vedere Bob che imbracciava la chitarra acustica ed in solitudine cantava quella canzone.
Poi il concerto finì abbastanza presto, non ci furono bis nonostante rimanemmo una buona mezz'ora ad urlare "fuori, fuori" nella speranza di vedere Bob tornare sul palco.
Ma così non fu e quella fu l'unica e l'ultima volta in cui lo vidi.
Torino, rispetto al concerto di Milano, fu una data appena meno affollata: mentre per Milano si parla di 100.000 persone, a Torino ce n'erano sessantamila. Fu una grande festa, un evento memorabile. Ancora oggi stento a credere di essere stato così vicino a Marley, di aver ballato con lui, di aver cantato con lui.

grazie mille a Marco

 

University Arena, Denver Dec 5, 1979 she was here... :

I was attending the Univ of Denver at the time and was 19 years old. I loved (love) Bob Marley and went to the concert with a friend. I remember it to this day - it was a wonderful experience. The music, the positive vibes and the atmosphere of unity and love was an amazing experience. One of the other things that stood out to me was : Bob was smoking a giant spliff, it looked like a huge hand rolled cigar! My friend informed me that it was a huge spliff LOL! The auditorium was not really large and we all sat close to the stage - some of us on the floor and the air was ganja filled and his music penetrated our souls!. I am so happy that I was fortunate to be in his presence live on stage and this memory lives with me always

Thanks to sister Janice

 

1976-05-13 Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA :

I was on stage with Bob Marley and the Wailers when they performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1976, performing at Orchestral Hall. We had conducted an interview with a reluctant Bob Marley. He was suspicious of the media and rarely gave interviews. He did agree to meet us for a video taped interview. My friend, Jerry Douglas, conducted the on-camera interview and if he lacked journalistic experience he made up for it in personal enthusiasm and insight.
After the interview, we joined the Wailers on side stage. It was more than a high to be next to a performer for whom I had the most respect and whose music influenced my life beyond any other.
The performance hall where the concert took place, Orchestra Hall, in downtown Minneapolis, was built for orchestral and classic music. Its' acoustics were as fine as french wine, warm, sweet and lasting. Vocals came clear and true. Bob sang his lyrics to an audience who adored him and loved the music. The audience stood and surged with the beat. The hall was well suited for Bob Marley and the Wailers.
How could life be better? Maybe, if the Wailers would come over to the Walker Art Center and check out the local Reggae band that I managed--SIMBA, it could be better.
So, I took the Wailers (Bob stayed at the hotel), in my 1974 Ford Econoline van, to the Walker where SIMBA and a Thirties style big band were performing for the Walker Art Center's tenth anniversary party.
Imagine the Wailers, in denim slacks and sneakers, dreads all about, strolling into the Center as a wave of guests part to either side. The women are draped in gems and fine gowns. Their hair and complexion have required much attention. The gentlemen have bows and ties, shiny black shoes, and hair-cuts so clean that Rudolph Valentino would envy. The hall was a-buzz with excitement. You could feel the energy when those guys entered the performance area and abruptly joined SIMBA on stage to jam. Those gowns were dancing!

TJ Western to Bob Marley Archive

http://www.tjwestern.com/

 

July 30 1978- The Warehouse, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (kaya Tour):

The Bob Marley & The Wailers concert is one that I will never forget. I drove from Pensacola, FL to New Orleans with some friends the day of the concert. I remember parking in a neighborhood where The Warehouse was. This was in the old warehouse district in New Orleans. Not a typical venue you would expect for a concert like this. Just an old brick warehouse in a residental and warehouse neighborhood. Not a big warehouse and not overflowing with ticketholders. It was very easy to walk right up to the front of the stage as it was standing only with no seats.

This was during the Kaya album. I was at the front only 10-15 feet away from Bab Marley singing along and dancing to every song just like everyone else. It was a wonderful experience that gave me goosebumps the whole time. No disrespect intended, but it felt like God was in the house.

This was the most amazing concert that I have ever seen and ranks tied with Led Zed Zeppelin in Mobile, Alabama in 1973 as the best concert I have ever seen in my whole life.

original words and ticket by Larry to Bob Marley Archive

 

April 25 1976- Music Hall, Boston:

The following is an extended version about one of the most memorable experiences in my life. I am also partially
writing this version of the story because when I am old and forgetful, I would be able to read this to jog my memory.

I saw the Wailers in 76 at the Orphium theater ( The Music hall ) in Boston. I went with a very beautiful girl of color, (our first date, I'm white) We had seats about 20 rows back, As you could imagine the show in progress was incredible. We didn't hit it off very well, I wanted to move up, she didn't. We moved up to the 17th row. It was too far away for me. I wanted to move up further, I don't think she was enjoying the music and she said she wanted to go home, I said if that's what she wanted, it was OK, but I wasn't leaving, She left, I moved up to the 10th row, then 4th, row, but it still wasn't close enough. I moved up to the 2nd row, since it wasn't hard since everybody was standing, and I was alone.

Then I was at the press area, in the pit, stage left, but I still wanted to get closer. I finally wound up effortlessly at Bob's feet. Ziggy joined him on stage that night. When Bob sang Get up Stand up, I yelled back, "what ya gonna do" and Bob made eye contact with me. (Click the green button for listen )

After the show, I went backstage to his dressing room. I had a little resistance from the Hall's security, but when they turned their backs I walked past the bouncer. I walked past several Rastas and lots of kids with boom boxes, It seemed every body was playing his concerts on self recorded tapes. The hallway and dressing room were full of thick white smoke. I got a few dirty looks, but I could have been a bit paranoid, since I ......

Finally I'm getting closer to Bobs' dressing room, I hear a lot of loud talking/bickering/Jamaican Patwa. The yelling immediately lowed down when they all saw me, (I wonder if they thought I was a Narc or something.(I have no idea what the argument was over, maybe somebody missed a note). Apparently I did not catch Bob in a great mood. (Retrospectively I am surprised at this, since I thought he would be in a great mood, since he just shared the stage with who I thought was his son.)

I slowly walked to the doorway of the dressing room,(there must have been 10 men in there. I believe I said something to the effect that I was a big fan and I believe I introduced myself. Now this was back in 76 so I really didn't have a good understanding of Bob or his intelligence.(To quote another writer, in those days, people thought that the Wailers were from another planet"). I did not know how much English he even spoke, I had only a basic understanding of his culture, (remember that some of the words on the natty Dread cover were "Dreadlock, Congo bongo, I")

I pulled the first piece of paper out of pocket, which turned out to be a crumpled up napkin I asked Bob to autograph a picture I drew of him. At first he had it upside down, but then I told him it was a picture/sketch of him.

(It's now the cover of "Marley Blog " sold at amazon.com"

I obviously did not have a clear head that night, but Bob went easy on me and he did not make me feel uncomfortable, I was foolishly talking a bit of Patwa to him and told him I was Jewish, and made some other small talk.I thanked him, said goodbye and left the dressing room, walked back past the people in the hallway. (A few of them quickly put their spliffs out of sight). (I was the only white person there and I happened to have short hair at that time). I left the dressing room, turned right walked back past about 25 members of his Entourage (I was the only whit person there).

I made a little eye contact, Got a few nods, and walked up the stairs, and I wound up back on the side of the stage of the concert hall, any way some how I went outside, got to the back of the Theatre and decided to walk onto his tour bus. Familyman was standing there, and I got his autograph on the only other piece of paper I had, which was my Organic Chemistry graph paper.

As I was saying, I then went on the Wailers tour bus and asked Bob if he could speak at my College., which he declined, because he said "he had a tour to do". I wrote my phone number of my dormitory room, on some type of business card and gave it to another person on the bus (of course I had no power or authority to invite Bob to speak, but it seemed like a good idea at the time). It must have been about 2:00 AM, and I went home alone, practically walking on air...

original word by Dr Lowell Taubman to Bob Marley Archive

"Bob Marley Spirit Dancer" : San Diego 1979

photo by Roger Steffens c.1979

In 1979, Hank Holmes and I began a radio program in Los Angeles on the Public Broadcast affiliate KCRW. We were on the air for two months when Island Records, Bob's label, asked if we would mind going on the road with Bob Marley for two weeks! On our first day we rode with him on the bus from L.A. to San Diego for three hours. Backstage before his show there he held a press conference. It was a very serious affair, and only once during the hour did he smile. At that moment, all the cameras in the room went off. I was sitting to Bob's right. My friend, photographer Bruce Talamon was in front of him.  His simultaneous picture appears in our book "Bob Marley: Spirit Dancer."

Original word by Roger Steffens for Bob Marley Archive

The Trenchtown Experience at the Madison Square Garden :

June 17 1978- Madison Square Garden, New York City,USA:

As crazy as it seems, me being having such OCD, can't remember much of the concert. I was looking thru an old "little black book" years ago, and noticed the phone number for an old girlfriend, Aurelie, pronounced Orally...

During that night, the Garden was somewhat smokey, and I think Bob was in his in usual Mythical form. Aurelie & me sat far away, upper left side. back about 150 rows. I tried to tape the concert on one of those 1" hand held tape recorders. I did record three songs , but all that was really recorded was the Echo but unfortunately the acoustics were terrible, and my recording was unlistenable...

 

September 19 1980- Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA:

I do remember the 80 MSG show although, where Bob opened for the Commodores. Once again, the acoustics at MSG were horrible and we had bad seats. I went with 2 friends, one who born in Ja, who was instrumental in getting me in to Reggae back in 1975.

Unfortunately we spent most of the concert moving up, distracting us from wathcing the Wailers.
My friend Robert got separated from Jay and myself. The concert was not a very pleasant experience, since the tempo was rapid and the acoustics were awful. Once again, the stage was very far away, and we were always trying to get closer to the band.

Security was very tight, despite the fact I am an expert on "moving up" We got as far as the floor, stage left, about 100 rows back, and 20 rows up. I remember hearing the songs and wondering why the music was so rushed? When Bob was over, we were part of the masses that did not stay for the Commodores.

Surprisingly, the 3 of us were reunited after the show, in the crowds who made a Exodus from the show. We were not aware that history was being made. All I remember after the show is buying a black and white poster of Bob, from somebody selling them in the street (which I still posses), on 7th Avenue and that someone was selling a beautiful giant Color Oil painting of Bob for a few hundred dollars.

original word by Dr Lowell Taubman to Bob Marley Archive

 

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