This Thursday, February 6, marks what would’ve been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday. To commemorate the milestone, the late reggae legend’s family and record labels will launch a yearlong celebration that will include a series of special presentations and events.
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The Marley 80th Earthstrong celebrations officially kick off on February 6 with a livestream of a tribute concert dubbed Uprising, named after Bob’s 1980 studio album. The event, which will feature performances by a variety of Jamaican entertainers, will stream live from the Marley family’s Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, starting at 3 p.m. ET. The show can be viewed on Tuff Gong TV’s official YouTube channel.
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The concert will include performances by a number of artists who appeared in the 2024 biopic Bob Marley: One Love. The four-hour presentation also will feature a selection of live performances from previous Marley birthday celebrations, and stand-alone tribute performances. In addition, the livestream will feature a profile of the charitable work done by the Bob Marley Foundation.
“Celebrating Daddy’s 80th birthday under the theme ‘Uprising’ is a special moment for our family and fans worldwide,” Marley’s daughter Cedella said in a statement. “This album represents so much of his spirit, with powerful songs like ‘Forever Loving Jah,’ ‘Coming in from the Cold,’ ‘Could You Be Loved,’ and ‘Redemption Song,’ which continue to inspire generations.”
She added, “Each year, we honor his legacy in a way that unites our extended family, friends, and fans from all corners of the globe. This 80th milestone is a reminder of his timeless call for love, resilience, and freedom.”
Worldwide Virtual Singalong
Also part of the birthday celebrations will be a worldwide virtual singalong taking place February 6 at 10 a.m. ET. The event will feature the 8,000-strong Young Voices children’s choir performing at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, U.K. The choir will sing a special “Marley Magic” medley featuring several of Bob’s best-known songs, including “One Love,” “Jamming’,” and “Three Little Birds.”
Children, parents, and teachers around the world also will be able to join in remotely from their homes and schools. The performance will stream live at the YVTV YouTube channel. For more information, visit YoungVoices.co.uk.
SiriusXM Radio Commemoration
SiriusXM’s Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio channel also will participate in the 80th birthday celebrations on February 6. The channel will broadcast of Tuff Gong TV’s Uprising livestream event. It also will feature a variety of special Marley-themed presentations, including rarities, as well as recordings by the Marley family and artists from the Tuff Gong label, which Bob founded.
In addition, Motown legend Smokey Robinson will be featured as a guest DJ. A variety of music stars from various genres will share birthday greetings throughout the day. The Marley birthday broadcasts also will be available on the SiriusXM app starting February 7.
Bob Marley & I Short-Video Series to Premiere
The first episode of a new web series called Bob Marley & I offering short features focusing on the reggae icon will be shown during the Uprising livestream. The video features U.K. film director, DJ, and musician Don Letts discussing who his life was changed by seeing a Bob Marley & The Wailers concert at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1975.
The episode also can be viewed now at various Marley social media sites. Future episodes also will be made available at Marley’s socials.
Marley died in May 1981 of melanoma. He was just 36.
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