THOUSANDS OF REGGAE LOVERS CELEBRATE BOB MARLEY DAY.Byline: Kristopher Hanson Staff Writer LONG BEACH - Thousands of reggae lovers turned out at the Long Beach Arena on Saturday to pay tribute to the ``One Love'' legacy of reggae legend Bob Marley. The 21st annual Bob Marley Day Festival attracted fans of the late Rastafarian with its array of food, vendors and music performed by Beenie Man, Cutty Ranks Cutty Ranks, born Philip Thomas in Jamaica in 1965, is a reggae and dancehall artist. His stage name stems from his former employment as a butcher. At the age of 14, he began his career as a reggae artist on sound systems such as Gemini, Rebel Tone, and Papa Roots. , Bushman, Sizzla, Junior Reid and other top reggae artists. The festival continues today. ``It's more than just a concert,'' said a Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. man who went only by the name Kule. ``It's a celebration of unity and peace between people.'' Fans mused not only about Marley's music but of the attention he paid to peace and human rights before dying of melanoma at age 36 in 1981. ``Marley changed the way people look at themselves and relate to one another,'' Kule said. Fans arrived early, bringing their dreadlocks dread·locks pl.n. 1. A natural hairstyle in which the hair is twisted into long matted or ropelike locks. 2. A similar hairstyle consisting of long thin braids radiating from the scalp. and colorful clothing to downtown's Ocean Boulevard and Belmont Shore's Second Street. Outside the Long Beach Arena, vendors sold blankets, shirts, jewelry and other goods. Inside the mood was festive with thousands of people dancing. Martha Decuir of Anaheim brought granddaughters Shiana Davis, 8, and Crystal Sanders, 10, to spend the day dancing to the bass-laden sounds. ``We go to all the reggae concerts around here because we love the music,'' Decuir said. ``In fact, they get upset with me if I don't take them. We just love it.'' The festival continues today at noon with performances by Luciano, Bounty Killer Bounty Killer (born Rodney Basil Price June 12, 1972 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, known for his hard work in combating poverty and helping new artists. , Gregory Isaacs Gregory Anthony Isaacs (born 15 July, 1950) is a Jamaican reggae musician. Isaacs was born in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica. In the 1970s, he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. , Damian Marley Damian Marley (born July 21, 1978 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a three time Grammy-winning reggae artist and is the youngest son of reggae legend Bob Marley. Damian was two years old when his father died, and is the only child born to Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976. , Elephant Man Elephant Man orig. Joseph (Carey) Merrick (born Aug. 5, 1862, Leicester, Leicestershire, Eng.—died April 11, 1890, London) Englishman disfigured by a disease that caused growths over his skin and bone surfaces. His head was 3 ft (. and others at the Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Tickets are $35 to $50. Children under 12 get in free with paid adult admission. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Reggae fans dance to the grooves of the 21st annual Bob Marley Day at the Long Beach Arena on Saturday. Lisa Billings/Staff Photographer |
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