Part 102: Reggae
Eddie
Hello. I'm Professor Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards. For the last forty
years I have dedicated myself to painstaking research into the field
of music. In the world of music there is only one. One man who knows
more about music than everyone else put together. That man is me! I
am him! History of Music.
Announcer
Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards's History of Music, part 102: Reggae
Music
Instrumental: Exodus, Bob Marley
Eddie
Reggae was born to a poor black family in Kingston-upon-Thames in the
year of our lord 1928. The family took their fledgling musical style
and emigrated to Jamaica for the purpose of selling their souls. In
Jamaica, Reggae withstood schoolyard taunts about his stupid name to
develop into a strong healthy man, became a skilled dustman and in
1951 married a woman footballer and had two lovely daughters, whom he
named Dub and Ska, because he saw no reason why they should not be
bullied at school too.
As Reggae grew older, many people came to kneel at his feet and worship him. They included Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Mandelson. Each took reggae into their heart, but it was Bob Marley who took this musical style and made it his own. Throughout the 1970s Marley's popularity was unquestioned and eventually grew to the extent that 97 per cent of all British households owned all his records and at least one of his dreadlocks. However, when asked if they could name another reggae artist, 98 per cent said Fleetwood Mac.
When Bob Marley died in 1981, Reggae almost died too. The 1980s and 90s saw the musical style dwindle in popularity. Only UB40 and Chakka Demus and Pliers's cover version of Twist and Shout kept the dream alive. But fear not, believers - after lengthy hypotherapy, Reggae confessed to creating Maxi Priest and Maverick chocolate bars. This startling revelation restored the public's faith. Reggae was given a fresh bill of health and our ending is a happy one. Reggae is on the up and has been revitalised through the music of Sizzla, Jah Palmer-Tomkinson, Blind Man's Bluff and Cher.
As Reggae grew older, many people came to kneel at his feet and worship him. They included Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Mandelson. Each took reggae into their heart, but it was Bob Marley who took this musical style and made it his own. Throughout the 1970s Marley's popularity was unquestioned and eventually grew to the extent that 97 per cent of all British households owned all his records and at least one of his dreadlocks. However, when asked if they could name another reggae artist, 98 per cent said Fleetwood Mac.
When Bob Marley died in 1981, Reggae almost died too. The 1980s and 90s saw the musical style dwindle in popularity. Only UB40 and Chakka Demus and Pliers's cover version of Twist and Shout kept the dream alive. But fear not, believers - after lengthy hypotherapy, Reggae confessed to creating Maxi Priest and Maverick chocolate bars. This startling revelation restored the public's faith. Reggae was given a fresh bill of health and our ending is a happy one. Reggae is on the up and has been revitalised through the music of Sizzla, Jah Palmer-Tomkinson, Blind Man's Bluff and Cher.
Announcer
Next week, in part 103 of Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards's History of
Music: the musical legacy of the Barron Knights.