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Community Corner

Bob Marley Tribute: Junior Marvin of The Wailers performing Exodus album and more

Born in Jamaica, Junior Marvin moved to London as a child, where his love of both acting and music was nurtured. He appeared in the Beatles’ film “Help”,which was followed by a number of other television appearances. Meanwhile, Junior served his musical apprenticeship in America by playing with the likes of Blues Legend T-Bone Walker and Ike & Tina Turner. He quickly earned a reputation as an innovative and expressive blues/rock guitarist. Back in England he played with bands such as Herbie Goins & The Nighttimers, Blue Ace Unit and White Rabbit.

Junior was a member of the London Cast of the musical “Hair” and can be heard on the Original London Cast Recordings. He contributed to Albums by Gerry Lockran, Rebop Kwakau Baah, Remi Kabacka, Ricco Rodriguez, Fairport Convention, Sandy Deny and many others on the UK scene. Junior was also invited to join the Keef Hartley Band who were pioneers of the burgeoning British blues/rock scene. Junior made a significant contribution as a writer,singer and lead guitarist to their acclaimed “Seventy Second Brave” Album, and also appeared on the follow-up release, “Lancashire Hustler.”

Following Keef Hartley, Junior formed his own Rock Band “Hanson” and they were swiftly signed to Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s Manticore label by Mario ‘The Big M’ Medious (the label manager). Their debut Album “Now Hear This,” featured: Junior (Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals), Jean Roussell (Keybords), Conrad Isidore (Drums) & Clive Chaman (Bass). A second album for The Manticore label was titled “Magic Dragon.” The Band, “Hanson,” stayed together for two albums after which Junior undertook session work for the likes of Island Recording Artists Stomu Yamashta, Steve Winwood and Toots & The Maytals.

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On February 14, 1977 (Valentine’s Day), Junior was invited to join both Stevie Wonder & Bob Marley & The Wailers. His schoolmates and musician friends chose Bob Marley because of the fact that they were both Jamaicans…the rest is history. “Exodus” was Junior’s first album with Marley and The Wailers and it was voted “Best Album of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine. He is on all Bob Marley and The Wailers Albums/CDs since that time. Since Bob’s passing, in 1981, Junior has put out (4) four CDs with The Wailers: “ID,” “Majestic Warriors,” “Jah Message” and “My Friends” (Live). Junior can also be found on CDs with Burning Spear, Alpha Blondy, Bunny Wailer, Israel Vibrations, Culture, The Meditations, Beres Hammond, The Congos, O.A,R. and SOJA.

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