In the early 1970s, reggae was regarded by the British press as “the poor relation of pop”, and when Bob Marley and the Wailers came to the UK in 1973 they played at a handful of venues like Bristol’s tiny Bamboo Club where they could be seen for just 80p (60p for members!). The tour was successful enough for them to return in November and in the following year, when a bluesy soft rock cover of Marley’s song ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ by Eric Clapton reached No. 1 in the US – and the top 10 in the UK – it gave Bob Marley and the Wailers the launchpad they needed. They toured again and in July 1975 played two concerts at the Lyceum Theatre in London which brought reggae – and Marley’s religion of Rastafarianism – roaring into the mainstream. While it has been more than 40 years since Bob Marley died from cancer at just 36, he remains one of the best-loved artists in the world of music and in the never-say-die world of streaming his music endures – on Spotify alone the Wailers’ 1980 hit ‘Could You Be Loved’ has been streamed over 700 million times.
On one level then, Legend The Music of Bob Marley could be regarded as simply a tribute act, a fully-fledged version of the kinds of shows performed at weddings and small venues by The Birmingham Bob Marley Tribute Band where most – if not all – of the cast of ‘Legend’ honed their Marley credentials. But that would be to seriously understate the quality of their simply superb performance. Led by the charismatic Michael Anton Phillips, the band give flawless renditions of more than 20 of the Wailers’ best-known songs … ‘One Love’, ‘Redemption Song’, ‘Stir It Up’, ‘Jamming’, ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘Exodus’ and countless others including, of course ‘… Sheriff’ and ‘Could You Be Loved’. This is a genuine feel-good show and the musicians and singers that comprise ‘Legend Live’ are gifted performers in their own right. Highly recommended.
Review by Louis Mazzini
When you think reggae, there is only one name that comes to mind. The legend that was Bob Marley.
Legend – The Music of Bob Marley is an unforgettable evening celebrating this musical icon in one fantastic stage show extravaganza. Combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, a supremely talented cast recreate the timeless hits Could You Be Loved, Is This Love, One Love, No Woman No Cry, Three Little Birds, Jammin’, Buffalo Soldier, Stir It Up, Get Up Stand Up, Exodus, Waiting in Vain, Satisfy My Soul, Iron Lion Zion, I Shot the Sheriff and many more reggae classics.
It is a two-hour spectacular, showcasing the magic of Marley. It captures the charisma and culture of an icon gone too soon.
This is a tribute show and is no way affiliated with any original artists/estates/management companies or similar shows.
Lead Vocal ( Michael Phillips)
Backing Vocals ( Elaine Rose)
Backing Vocals ( Eleanor Ajani )
Keys ( Vincent Graham)
Bass ( Ramond Grant)
Lead guitar ( Alphonso Renford )
Drums ( David Clamp)
Engineer Stephen Morrison
Produced by Entertainers
Legend – The Music of Bob Marley
Adelphi Theatre, London
19 Sep 2023