April 11th, 2008 by Hannah
Cedella Booker, the mother of reggae legend Bob Marley, has passed away in Miami at the age of 81.
Cedella had been a resident of Miami for the past 30 years.She was an active figure in the promotion of her son and in 1993 started the Bob Marley Movement Festival that featured Santana and Wyclef Jean.
Mrs Booker gave birth to her son Robert when she was 18 years old. Bob died in May, 1981.
Cedella Booker also had her own music career. She released two albums, ‘Awake Zion’ and ‘Smilin’ Island of Song’.
January 28th, 2008 by Hannah
After a massive three decades as a member of reggae band UB40, frontman Ali Campbell has decided to quit.
Ok so there are seven members left; but it just won’t be the same.
Campbell plans to remain with the band until they have completed their upcoming February tour of Australia, New Zealand and Uganda. The remaining members have vowed to continue with UB40 but it has been undecided whether Ali will be replaced.
A spokesman says, “Ali Campbell has taken the decision to focus on his solo career and in doing so, could not give his full commitment to UB40.The other band members of UB40 are naturally disappointed and saddened after being together as a band unit and as good friends and a family unit for almost 30 years”
It’s the end of an era.
November 1st, 2007 by Hannah
Since fans had been asking why it had been months since Mikey Dread made any public appearances, the DJ/performer/reggae advocate’s record label Dread at the Controls issued a press release explaining it’s a good news/bad news situation. The good news is that Mikey and his wife Monika welcomed a healthy baby boy into their life this past October 12th. “The bad news is that Mikey Dread has been diagnosed with a Brain Tumor,” the press release explained. “He is in the care of the best Doctors at Duke University in North Carolina and is undergoing chemotherapy. Mikey is working towards recovery and does not give up his faith in God.”
Anyone familiar with Mikey can tell you that besides all the great work he’s done under his own name or with the Clash (try “Bankrobber” off the Singles collection or the dub cuts on Sandinista!) that his greatest gift could be his ability to communicate love of reggae music in a playful, informative, and intoxicating manner. Try his podcasts for a taste, then check this ridiculously fun flash animation, grab yourself a record from the record box, and let the music take over. Get well soon Mikey; we need you at the controls!
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