Today (February 6), Bob Marley would have been 76 years-old. This is also traditionally celebrated in the United States as Black History Month which makes it appropriate to look at the reggae king's ties to the African-American community.
Here are some tidbits:
--- During the late 1960s, The Wailers (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer) recorded songs for JAD Records, a company owned by African-American impresario Danny Sims and singer Johnny Nash.
--- Drummer Bernard Purdie, known for his work with Aretha Franklin, Margie Joseph and Steely Dan, worked with The Wailers on the JAD Records sessions at Randy's studio in Kingston.
--- Blues guitarists Al Anderson from New Jersey and Donald Kinsey from Indiana, played on Marley albums such as "Natty Dread" and "Rastaman Vibration".
--- The Jackson Five visited Marley and his family at his home (now the Marley Museum in Kingston) in 1975.
--- Marley and The Wailers, eager to break into the black American market, played seven shows at The Apollo Theater in October, 1979.
--- Marley and The Wailers opened for The Commodores at Madison Square Garden in September, 1980.
--- Stevie Wonder's song "Master Blaster" was inspired by Marley.
Written By Howard Campbell
