Post by kaya on Jun 28, 2008 22:49:48 GMT -5
ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF REGGAE
If Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was the "king", Alpharita Constantina Anderson, better known as Rita Marley, must definitely be the "queen" of Reggae music.
Looking at her life objectively, one can say Rita Marley, 62, the widow of Bob Marley, is an ordinary woman with the same struggles and pains that any woman is likely to face.
What makes her different is that unlike many other women faced with the same struggles and pains she has kept her head and shoulders square and high, and risen above adversities to become the definition of a phenomenal woman.
Since her husband's death on May 11, 1981, at age 36, Rita has brought all her and her husband's 13 offspring into the fold, and has managed to keep the Marley empire together, and built it into an even bigger brand.
Her children include Sharon, born Nov. 23, 1964; Cedella, born Aug. 23, 1967; David "Ziggy", born Oct. 17, 1968; Stephen, born Apr. 20, 1972; and Stephanie, born 1974
In fact, Rita says that the old adage which suggests that women support their men from behind the scenes is just that, an old adage. "We have passed that stage where women are thought of as being behind ... especially us black women. We have gone either beside or before and it is not our will, but the will of God where he said in Isaiah [that] the woman shall surpass the man. So now we are even." This attitude may have been what made her standout despite being the wife of Bob Marley, a universally recognizable figure.
In fact the ability to stand out may be responsible for her continued popularity. Not bad for a woman from the ghettos of Trench Town, Jamaica.
Though many know and recognize her as the "queen" of Reggae music, many "johnny-come-latelys" may not know that even before she joined Bob Marley and the Wailers band as a back up singer, Rita was a successful artist in her own right.
At one stage of her career she led the female charge in the mostly male-dominated field of Reggae music and was a member of two very popular music groups.
However, before Reggae was on the tip of every tongue, Rita was one of the members of a popular group known as the "Soulettes", who were the Supremes of Jamaica and would do cover versions of American songs. "We did many international shows and when they brought foreign acts to Jamaica they would book us as opening acts," she said. The "Soulettes" scored several hits under Bob Marley's leadership.
Rita had a solo hit of her own — "Pied Piper" — and also sang backup on some of the early recordings of the Wailers.
Next, Rita joined with the I-Threes, which comprised Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt to form Bob's backup singers. Rita traveled the world with the group of talented musicians, and was more than ready to tackle the music industry on her own after her husband's death.
In fact, some have argued that the I-Threes was an important contributor to the music that made her husband famous worldwide. Griffiths and Mowatt also enjoyed successful solo careers after Bob Marley's death.
Nowadays, the Marley name is synonymous with Reggae music, and many of Bob Marley's offspring are following in his footsteps. Damian, David "Ziggy" Marley and the Melody Makers and Stephen have all captured Grammy awards.
Of the children's decision to follow in their father's footsteps, Rita said that because her children lost their father at such a young age it influenced them to carry on his legacy. "It was sudden and it was too soon," she said, adding that she gave up her career to be their manager.
To upcoming musicians who think that the business is a quick and easy path to success, Rita advises, "If you want to make it in the music business you have to be dedicated. Really put yourself into it, you have to be serious and you have to rehearse. The more you rehearse the better you get."
She added that at the start of her and her husband's career they practically worked like slaves.
"We gave up everything and went to the studio everyday to rehearse and sing. We sung when we got hungry or ate a pattie. Some days we had nothing to eat but we survived because we did what we loved to do. This was our job," Rita said.
Despite her age, Rita Marley is still going strong. She recently collaborated with international recording star "Fergie" of the group "Blackeye Peas" on a new song entitled "Mary Jane". The Reggae infused pop song represents Reggae's reach and Rita's abiding relevance in what can be a fickle music industry.
Rita is also reportedly working on a project with the sensational superstar, Rihanna, the Barbados-born beauty, who is currently making huge waves in the music industry.
Source:/www.thenassauguardian.com
If Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was the "king", Alpharita Constantina Anderson, better known as Rita Marley, must definitely be the "queen" of Reggae music.
Looking at her life objectively, one can say Rita Marley, 62, the widow of Bob Marley, is an ordinary woman with the same struggles and pains that any woman is likely to face.
What makes her different is that unlike many other women faced with the same struggles and pains she has kept her head and shoulders square and high, and risen above adversities to become the definition of a phenomenal woman.
Since her husband's death on May 11, 1981, at age 36, Rita has brought all her and her husband's 13 offspring into the fold, and has managed to keep the Marley empire together, and built it into an even bigger brand.
Her children include Sharon, born Nov. 23, 1964; Cedella, born Aug. 23, 1967; David "Ziggy", born Oct. 17, 1968; Stephen, born Apr. 20, 1972; and Stephanie, born 1974
In fact, Rita says that the old adage which suggests that women support their men from behind the scenes is just that, an old adage. "We have passed that stage where women are thought of as being behind ... especially us black women. We have gone either beside or before and it is not our will, but the will of God where he said in Isaiah [that] the woman shall surpass the man. So now we are even." This attitude may have been what made her standout despite being the wife of Bob Marley, a universally recognizable figure.
In fact the ability to stand out may be responsible for her continued popularity. Not bad for a woman from the ghettos of Trench Town, Jamaica.
Though many know and recognize her as the "queen" of Reggae music, many "johnny-come-latelys" may not know that even before she joined Bob Marley and the Wailers band as a back up singer, Rita was a successful artist in her own right.
At one stage of her career she led the female charge in the mostly male-dominated field of Reggae music and was a member of two very popular music groups.
However, before Reggae was on the tip of every tongue, Rita was one of the members of a popular group known as the "Soulettes", who were the Supremes of Jamaica and would do cover versions of American songs. "We did many international shows and when they brought foreign acts to Jamaica they would book us as opening acts," she said. The "Soulettes" scored several hits under Bob Marley's leadership.
Rita had a solo hit of her own — "Pied Piper" — and also sang backup on some of the early recordings of the Wailers.
Next, Rita joined with the I-Threes, which comprised Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt to form Bob's backup singers. Rita traveled the world with the group of talented musicians, and was more than ready to tackle the music industry on her own after her husband's death.
In fact, some have argued that the I-Threes was an important contributor to the music that made her husband famous worldwide. Griffiths and Mowatt also enjoyed successful solo careers after Bob Marley's death.
Nowadays, the Marley name is synonymous with Reggae music, and many of Bob Marley's offspring are following in his footsteps. Damian, David "Ziggy" Marley and the Melody Makers and Stephen have all captured Grammy awards.
Of the children's decision to follow in their father's footsteps, Rita said that because her children lost their father at such a young age it influenced them to carry on his legacy. "It was sudden and it was too soon," she said, adding that she gave up her career to be their manager.
To upcoming musicians who think that the business is a quick and easy path to success, Rita advises, "If you want to make it in the music business you have to be dedicated. Really put yourself into it, you have to be serious and you have to rehearse. The more you rehearse the better you get."
She added that at the start of her and her husband's career they practically worked like slaves.
"We gave up everything and went to the studio everyday to rehearse and sing. We sung when we got hungry or ate a pattie. Some days we had nothing to eat but we survived because we did what we loved to do. This was our job," Rita said.
Despite her age, Rita Marley is still going strong. She recently collaborated with international recording star "Fergie" of the group "Blackeye Peas" on a new song entitled "Mary Jane". The Reggae infused pop song represents Reggae's reach and Rita's abiding relevance in what can be a fickle music industry.
Rita is also reportedly working on a project with the sensational superstar, Rihanna, the Barbados-born beauty, who is currently making huge waves in the music industry.
Source:/www.thenassauguardian.com