Marley 80 kicks off with an Uprising tribute concert livestream from the Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica
The Marley family, UMe, and Island Records will honor Bob Marley’s legacy with a year-long celebration commemorating his 80th birthday milestone and his importance in the uprising of global music and the fight for social justice and equality.
Bob Marleyโs 80th Earthstrong Celebrations culminate with an Uprising Tribute Concert livestream from the familyโs Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and features a slew of popular and new Jamaican entertainers, including Mortimer, Bugle, Kumar Fyah, Naomi Cowan, Quan Dajai, Kelly Shane, and Alexx A-Game, several of whom were featured in the Bob Marley: One Love movie. Other highlights featured in the livestream will be a countdown of the best live performances from past birthdays, stand-alone performances paying tribute, a showcase of the ongoing impact of his charitable organization, the Bob Marley Foundation, and more. The live stream will be Thursday, February 6th from 3-7 pm ET on Tuff Gong TV’s official YouTube channel.
Additional festivities include the premiere episode of Bob Marley & I featuring British film director, DJ and musician Don Letts, who details his life-changing experience seeing Bob Marley & The Wailers at the infamous Lyceum Theatre in London in 1975, with more episodes being showcased throughout the year. Catch the first episode of Bob Marley & I on Tuff Gong TVโs livestream, or watch the episode now on Bob Marley’s Official Channels, as well as future episodes.
Contributing to the celebrations, Young Voices, in conjunction with The Bob & Rita Marley Foundation, will stage a Worldwide Singalong from the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, tomorrow, Thursday, February 6th, at 7 am PT/10 am ET/3 pm GMT to celebrate Bobโs 80th by singing the โMarley Magicโ medleyโa specially arranged selection of Bob Marleyโs greatest hits, including โOne Love,โ โJammingโ,โ โThree Little Birds,โ and more. The 8,000-strong Young Voices choir, singing live from the Co-op Arena while thousands more join in around the world, will create a powerful and uplifting tribute to one of the worldโs most celebrated musical figures. Children, teachers, and parents everywhere are invited to participate, joining the global celebration from their schools or homes. All participants can access the learning materials when they sign up.
With over 250,000 children from Young Voices UK and Young Voices USA taking part, along with countless others worldwide, this global singalong promises to be a moment of unity and joy, spreading Bob Marleyโs message of love and peace to new generations.
SiriusXMโs Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio (channel 19) is proud to present special programming for Marleyโs 80th Earthstrong, which includes a broadcast of Tuff Gong TVโs โUprisingโ livestream. The channel will also highlight rare gems, prolific recordings from the Marley family, and music from Tuff Gong, the family label Marley founded. Legendary songwriter and performer Smokey Robinson brings his favorites to the lineup as a guest DJ; a lineup of reggae, roots, dancehall legends, and contemporary stars will also share birthday greetings throughout the day. Hear it all on Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio on February 6th, and then available on the SiriusXM app starting February 7th.
One-quarter of all Reggae listened to in the United States is Bob Marley’s. Bob Marley’s Legend was recently re-certified 18x platinum by the RIAA. Legend is the fourteenth-biggest-selling album of all time and the third-biggest-selling Greatest Hits package in United States history. Bob Marley’s music transcends generations with a timeless message of peace, love, justice, and unity, continuing to influence and empower hearts and minds worldwide. His enduring legacy continues to shape and inspire the world, leaving an indelible mark on popular cultureโfrom music and film to art, theatre, fashion, and beyond.
Additional information on Marley 80 events will be revealed soon.