Bob Marley's star power shines in Japan
AFP
TOKYO : His calls to return to Africa may not strike the same chord here, but Bob Marley's star power still shines in Japan, where the late reggae legend's words have been embraced by fans with different predicaments but similar feelings.
The painful restructuring of corporate Japan in the 1990s was no source of lyricism for Marley, who died in 1981, but his passion to be free against the establishment has proven inspirational for the children of Japan's new economy.
Reggae clubs and specialty music stores across Japan are holding parties to mark the birth anniversary of the Jamaican reggae icon, who would have turned 60 on February 6.
"What's so important about Bob Marley is that his messages transcend," said Eiko Furuya, who leads Reggae-ya, a group of Japanese DJs and sound crew specializing in traditional roots reggae, including the works of Marley.
"Someone must pass on his message. He taught us to fight oppressors without violence and weapons," she said, as she prepared for a club event of Marley tunes in his memory....the rest...
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