Marley The Musical Messiah

Somehow Bob Marley had a Messianic quality and to this day – 45 years on from when he was claimed by cancer in 1981 - Jamaica’s first son still has a devoted following of reggae disciples.

And, last night, they were out in their droves at Bradford’s Alhambra to see Legend – The Music of Bob Marley.

But, as much as it was the band on stage that delivered a more than worthy tribute, it was the audience army that was equally fascinating.

Not only did they vary in age, colour and creed, but they were instantly like one of those nodding dogs that you used to buy for the dashboard in the 1970’s, using their heads to beat out tempos of songs like 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.

And they were on their feet, waving, singing and well, just having a good time in a less than quiet way! But there was a spirit of enjoyment in the theatre that would have been hard to repress.

Bob Marley was a one off and, to some, reggae might sound boringly repetitive but, to others, it is almost a religion.

Interestingly one-night concerts of this type have traditionally found a home in nearby St George’s Hall but, perhaps, it is a tribute to the scale of those ‘tributes’ currently doing the rounds, that many now require a larger venue such is their popularity.

Later this year we will see The Magic of The Beatles, a tribute to Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars – Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years and the equally popular Queen tribute, Radio GaGa, all finding a home in the beautiful Alhambra.

And if it’s what Bradford wants, then long may live music and performance remain strong and vibrant in whatever format be it Ellen Kent’s visiting operas, musical theatre or indeed, large scale tributes.

Last night the on-stage band was slick, professional and clearly left the audience – many barely out of college – with the belief that they had just seen their favourite star, even though he has been lying in the Bob Marley Mausoleum in Nine Mile, Saint Ann, Jamaica, for more than 40 years. RIP Bob, your happiness was in the house last night!

Legend – The Music of Bob Marley
Alhambra, Bradford
Next in the Region
Cast, Doncaster 16th April
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