First hand account of media day for the opening of "The World of Reggae
featuring Bob Marley" by sista irie

Duppy Conqueror Rams the Queen Mary.....Jan. 24, 2001

  Small irony was lost when committed reggae media disciples sat in reverence
on the Queen Mary, a ship well known for legendary ghosts and supernatural
sightings. The anticipation of duppy visitors was replaced with chanting and
singing, celebrating the life of the Natural Mystic, his life revered in the
real world instead of the supernatural. Ras Michael spoke eloquently.
Rastafari elegance highlighted the room in colorful contrast against the
formal dark wooden antiquity and pristine elegance of the ship's music room.
Silver angels hung gracefully over the stage while invocations of Ras
Michael's nyabinghi drums echoed down the hallways and into the hollows of
the ship inviting a less formal, more tribal call and response. The Sons and
Dawtas of Negus stretched forth their hands in positive livity, inviting
everyone, from the formal members of the LA city government, the
straightlaced members of the ship's directors, to the dreadlocked red, gold,
and green audience who clapped and sang in the joy of the moment. The day
began with grey, rainy, skies and evolved quickly from	slivers of sunny rays
breaking through thick, darkened, clouds to colorful rainbows crossing the
city of LA.  This largest exhibit of reggae memoribilia in the world includes
descriptive panels relating the diversity and unique contributions made by
the best known reggae artists, whose lives contributed greatly to Jamaica's
rich musical history. The intense graphic displays are carefully laid out in
two buildings starting with the chronological develoment of Jamaican music,
beginning with pre-ska and clocking through time to modern dancehall. A
separate section of the gallery is dedicated to collected artifacts that
represent the life of H.I.M. Haile Selassie. Lifetime collector, Jah Jim
Marshall, ushered television cameras through the history of Ethiopia and the
story and life of His Imperial Majesty. Later a trip to Jah Jim's house with
my host, Roger Steffens, ingratiated my overstanding of the commitment, if
not obsession of music collectors. I had visited Roger last year and saw the
archives which fill several levels of his personal house and even though a
tremendous amount had been donated to the musuem, it didn't appear to make
much of a dent. Jah Jim's house is equally stacked like the basement of a
library just waiting to be culled and organized.

There is much more to say, but I am currently out of town and don't really
have regular internet access. For those reggae music lovers, I just want to
say, it was an incredible day. Artists from as far away as Nigeria (Majek
Fashek) and the UK (Tippa Irie) and a host of Jamaican and American artists
showed for the event. There was a diverse media group from writers,
photographers, television, radio and promoters who came for the event. The
most inspiring part of the show lies in the fact that it goes way beyond the
life of Bob Marley. Although Bob, Peter, Bunny, the I-Threes and others have
their own special sections, the collections of music, tapes, album covers,
carvings, pins, medals, clothing, interviews,etc. gives the highest thanks
and praise to all who have made reggae music what it is today. I truly give
thanks for the obsessions of people like Roger Steffens and his never ending
energy for archiving the history. Jah Jim Marshall and many others have given
freely to this exhibit which will hopefully tour the world after the summer.
This exhibit offers incredible recognition of the musical and cultural
heritage of Jamaica coming on the heels of the the album "Legend" being
chosen as the album of the Century. Next month, Bob will be honored with a
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammys. Lauren Hill's rendition of the
Marley song "Waiting In Vain" also been nominated for a grammy this year. Bob
Marley will also receive a star in Hollywood during the month of February.
Altho there is controversy over these recognitions, many of us are glad to
see the music and artists receive the kudos.  They are long overdue. The
Reggae Museum Collection is beautifully timed to enhance the upcoming reggae
awards. It would be difficult to leave this exhibit without renewed faith
that reggae music is much more than just a short-lived movement. The
continued belief there are artists alive today and others yet to come who
will continue to move the music and the messages forward gives me renewed
energy to be a part of the reggae evolution. If any of you make it to LA,
especially for the upcoming Bob Marley Festival on Feb. 17 & 18, it is well
worth a trip down to the Queen Mary for a view of one of the best things that
has happened to reggae in many years.  The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
daily and the admission is $10. The address is 1126 Queens Highway in Long
Beach and the musuem is on the dock of the Queen Mary nestled amongst a small
village of retail stores and restaurants. --