If Bob Marley were still alive he would be celebrating his 60th birthday today. TimeOut asks five New Zealand musicians - who are known to like their reggae - what they would write on his birthday card.
Che Fu: "I was lucky enough to see you play at Western Springs
[in April 1979] as a kid. It was amazing to see two rival gangs dancing together. We miss you Bob."
Anika Moa: "Kia ora Bob. I want to have your little singing, dancing, Rastafarian, soccer-playing, good-looking, good-songwriting, nicely dreadlocked, beautifully bone-structured, brown-skinned, excellently vocal-ranged and very sexy babies. Kia ora for that. Happy birthday, Anika."
Ara Adams-Tamatea (Katchafire): "You are a God, you are a prophet. Your music and your messages have touched so many people. Thanks for the words of wisdom. Hari huritau ki a koe, Bob [Happy birthday to you Bob]."
Dilworth Karaka (Herbs): "Once upon a time I would have cried with the thoughts of your death ... [but] good times, good times, reggae's doing fine." (From the Herbs' song Reggae's Doing Fine, a tribute to Bob Marley)
Rio Hemopo (TrinityRoots): "I remember the 1st XV blasting your music from a ghetto-blaster on the school bus on sports trips. It wasn't Three Little Birds, it was stuff I'd never heard of yours before, like Bad Card. But War was the song. And the message is still relevant today. Thanks for the inspiration and the wisdom."
* One Love, which celebrates Bob Marley's birthday, is on at Hataitai Velodrome, Wellington, Sunday, from 12pm to 6pm.
