1980s

Bob Marley and Jacob Miller (1980)

Bob Marley in Italy (1980)

Photo Memory: Young Stephen Marley in 1980 (http://www.jamaicansmusic.com/artists/profile/Stephen_Marley)

Singer Bob Marley made history during the One Love Peace Concert at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. During a performance by Marley and his group the Wailers, the reggae singer joined the hands of political arch-rivals prime minister Michael Manley (of the People’s National Party) and Edward Seaga (of the Jamaican Labour Party) at a time where tensions between the parties and their supporters had reached their peak. Seaga became the fifth prime minister of Jamaica in 1980.

Barrington Levy released his album Robin Hood in 1980 via Greensleeves.

Peter Tosh played Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg on September 4, 1980. Here is the concert review from the Winnipeg Free Press, published September 5, 1980. https://www.jamaicansmusic.com/artists/profile/Peter_Tosh

Vintage Photo: Junior Delgado and Dennis Brown in London (1980) View their profiles here: http://jamaicansmusic.com/artists/profile/Junior_Delgado http://jamaicansmusic.com/artists/profile/Dennis_Brown

Photo Moment: Bob Marley & Eddy Grant's Reggae Football Teams, 1980

Brigadier Jerry recorded for Studio One in the early 1980s before having his first hits with "Pain". He cut a new version of the Slim Smith riddim "Never Let Go," and retitled "Pain" on the Answer Riddim for producer Delroy Stansbury on the Jwyanza label in 1982. It was a major hit, rocketing to the top of the Jamaican charts.

In 1980, Sheila Hylton recorded an adaptation of the Police hit, `The Bed's Too Big Without You' with Jamaica's Riddim Twins, Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare working alongside Harry Johnson. The recording proved an instant favourite and marked her second foray into the UK Pop charts.

NOW AVAILABLE: VP Records offers arguably one of the most historical and genre-comprehensive box sets selected by Edward Seaga, the former Jamaican Prime Minister (1980-1989). Entitled Reggae Golden Jubilee – Origins of Jamaican Music, this 4-disc deluxe collection will hit shelves on November 6 on VP Records.

On this day, May 21st in 1981 the Official Funeral Service for the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley O.M. (Bob Marley - Berhane Selassie) (d. May 11) was held in Kingston, Jamaica at ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH HOLY TRINITY (89 MAXFIELD AVENUE, KINGSTON, JAMAICA (8.00 - 9.00 a.m.) AND THE NATIONAL ARENA (11.00 a.m.) Bob was buried with state honours. St. Ann, Jamaica. (http://www.jamaicansmusic.com/artists/profile/Bob_Marley)

Super Cat's first single, the Winston Riley-produced "Mr. Walker", was released in 1981

Yellowman’s first full-length album, Them a Mad Over Me, was recorded for Channel One in 1981 and featured the hit title track and the single "Me Kill Barnie," an answer record to Lone Ranger's hit "Barnabas Collins."

Aswad gained a wider audience with their New Chapter album (1981). One of the featured songs "Love Fire" was used as the riddim for Dennis Brown's hit "Promised Land".

In 1982 Heartbeat Records out of Burlington Massachusetts came to Jamaica and recorded Dancheall's first live recording. The dance event was dubbed "A Dee-Jay Explosion: Inna Dancehall Style" which was hosted at the famous 'Jingles' Skateland Roller Disco better known as Skateland in Halfway Tree.

On December 29, 1982 Jamaica issued a commemorative Bob Marley postage stamp.

The double LP soundtrack for the 1982 film "Countryman" featured eight songs by Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as tracks from Aswad, Toots & The Maytals, Steel Pulse, Fabulous Five, and Lee Scratch Perry among others.

Anthony Johnson’s first big hit was the anti-violence single called "Gunshot"(1982). It is one of the all time seminal dancehall records on the reggae scene.

"Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youths was a number 1 hit across the world in 1982 including the UK Singles Chart . It went on to sell over four million copies, and was nominated for a Grammy Award.