‘Year of the Lioness’ tribute for Rita Marley - Celebrates 74th birthday
Published:Monday | July 27, 2020 | 12:23 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Marley matriarch, Rita, celebrated her 74th birthday on Saturday, and rather than wait until what is usually considered a milestone, the 75th year, to have a grand shebang, Tuff Gong International has kick-started a yearlong celebration, dubbed the ‘Year of the Lioness.’ This tribute to the company’s co-founder will culminate on her 75th birthday in July 2021.
A coterie of family, friends and associates joined hands virtually in wishing the widow of reggae icon Bob Marley a blessed ‘earthstrong’. The Lioness of Reggae was showered with love in a live-streamed tribute which aired on Tuff Gong TV on YouTube and was simultaneously shown live on other Marley-branded Facebook pages.
The birthday gala comprised a selection of favourite songs from her catalogue, interspersed with tributes from her children, Cedella, Ziggy, Stephanie, and their families; Julian Marley; her brother Wes and his wife; Minister Olivia Grange, and the I-Three. Minister Grange stated, “To see my sister Rita Marley surrounded by her family was really a heart-warming experience for me. Rita Marley is truly deserving of that love, respect and honour that we give her on her 74th, moving into her 75th birthday. Sister Rita, I wish that Jah will guide and keep you, and that you will be with us for a long time. One love, one heart, Jah guide.”
Of course, not to be left out were her I-Three sisters, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, who sang the birthday song, and reggae singer Nadine Sutherland, who spoke lovingly of “Mrs Marley” and recalled how she paid for her to have voice training, which has benefited her to this day. Also representing the entertainment industry were Tommy Cowan, Carlene Davis, Ricky Chaplin, Kevin and Marsha Downswell, Richie Spice, Budukusu , Desi Young, Papa Michigan, Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, Grub Cooper, Ethan Sultry, Dean Fraser, Clive Hunt, Delphine, Kim Nain, Alla, Jaz Elise, Delando Colley, Kelissa, Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, D’Angel, Jubba White, Gloria and Emilo Estefan, and Shane Brown.
Tuff Gong International noted that the aim of the year-long recognition is to highlight Dr Alfarita Marley as a game changer in the reggae music industry. She was hailed for her contribution as an original executive director of Tuff Gong International (1981-present); an entertainer, both as one-third of the internationally acclaimed vocal trio, the I-Three, as well as in her own right; mentor/mother to her own children; and for her philanthropic works through the Rita Marley Foundation and the Bob Marley Foundation.