Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley thrill music fans in Liverpool

Some 15.000 reggae fans and music lovers yesterday Sunday, August 25th, 2013 danced to the reggae tunes of the Marley brothers at  Sefton Park as part of the Liverpool International Music festival.

Music lovers shouted excitedly and danced when the first of the brothers Damian Marley, with dreadlocks that were more than one meter long got on stage. He sang three songs and his brothers followed after him.

Damian Marley. He did not disappoint

Though born in Jamaica, their late father reggae Superstar, Bob Marley, considered himself a true African and at one point, dreamed of resettling in the continent. After his premature death in 1981 at the age of 36, his widow Rita Marley 67, who is now Matriarch of the family, re-located the Marley clan to Ghana. All his sons are now musicians in their own right and have been keeping the Marley music flame burning since the death of their father. Bob Marley officially had 11 children, three of them with Rita.

The Marleys were supported by other bands and musicians they promote including Christopher Ellis.

Damian Marley

A reggae fan later told Iroko Africa the time allocated for the three brothers (about 15 minutes) was too short and hoped the organizers allocate more time to big international stars like the Marley’s’ to play.

Yaw Owusu, Curator of the festival told Iroko Africa, “I am very excited the Marleys are playing here (in Liverpool).  I Knew they were big but we did not know the city would have an appetite to come and see them. If you look at the crowd, it is very mixed”. He added.

Reggae fans welcomed the Marleys

The son of a Bekwai Chief in Ghana and a Jamaican Mother, Yaw says he will invite and possibly have an African day when he draws the list of musicians who will take part in the festival next year.  The Liverpool International music festival is organised by Liverpool City Council.

African musicians who would like to take part in next year’s festival can contact Yaw can contact Iroko Africa for Yaw’s details.

Party time at the festival