Adam writes… It’s the beginning of 2024 and we look forward to the new Bob Marley biopic One Love.
London is hugely important in the story of Bob Marley. Marley recorded one of his most famous hits, No Woman No Cry here in London, at the Lyceum Theatre. It’s a location that we visit often on our London Music Tours*.
The track is on Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Live! album, captured at the Lyceum and released in 1975. The album made Marley, already a hugely respected musician and star, a household name.
You can find the Lyceum (plus five other Bob Marley locations) on this special Bob Marley In London Map…
Bob Marley In Chelsea
Also on the map you’ll find 42 Oakley Street, Chelsea. This is the location of Bob Marley’s English Heritage Blue Plaque. Bob lived in Chelsea while working on the the classic album Exodus…
Exodus was released on the Island label in 1977. Side one is made up of songs with political and spiritual themes and side two is home to some exquisite upbeat, positive love songs. It’s a mark of the album’s popularity that more tracks from Exodus appear on the Legend compilation (1984) than any of his other LP’s. The lion’s share of the record was made in London (see map) at a very turbulent time in Marley’s life.
Assassination Attempt
In December 1976 an attempt was made on his life. Would-be assassins stormed Marley’s home at 56 Hope Road, Kingston, guns blazing. Bob was wounded and soon after left Jamaica for London. The events of the assassination remained shrouded in mystery and conspiracy. The whole story is assessed in the brilliant Netflix documentary Who Shot The Sheriff?, part of the ReMastered series. It’s an excellent companion piece to the new biopic. View the trailer here:
The Lyceum
You’ll also find The Lyceum Theatre on the map (open the map and click the Lyceum pin to find out a bit more about Bob and the Lyceum).
The Lyceum is home to The Lion King, the famous Disney musical, written by old rockers Sir Tim Rice (co-founder of the indispensible Guinness Book of British Hit Singles) and Sir Elton John. The building’s rich theatrical history throws up an impressive cast list – from actors Sir Henry Irving and Ellen Terry to the wicked Count Dracula.
But it also retains a special place in the hearts of rock’n’roll Londoners. The Lyceum Ballroom is associated with such legendary names as John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Queen, The Clash, The Jam, U2 and The Smiths.
Location and a couple of trivia bits on the Lyceum…
Bob Marley – The Movie
One Love hits cinemas in the UK on February 14th and has been made with the full cooperation of Bob Marley’s son Ziggy. In a statement building up to the lease of the movie, Ziggy said:
“Nothing happens before its time, and now is the time for the story of our father Bob Marley to be represented in a biopic theatrical release coming in 2024. You’ve heard the music and you think you know the man but do you really understand what he went through and what moments shaped him into the person he became… this film will bring you to witness for the first time what it was like to be around the legend, to see his pain his sorrows his joys and his redemption.”
Some excellent shots of the filming on location here in London: https://www.dancehallmag.com/2022/12/18/news/first-look-kingsley-ben-adir-as-bob-marley-on-set-of-reggae-legends-biopic-see-photos.html
And here’s the official movie trailer…
*We visit the location of the Lyceum Theatre on our regular scheduled tours Rock’n’Roll Covent Garden, Musical Covent Garden and Bob Dylan in London. Bob Marley tours are also available on request. To enquire or book, simply fill in the form below…
