Bob Marley and the Wailers had broken through to the American mainstream by the time they arrived at Boston’s Music Hall for two shows on June 8, 1978.
This historic Universal Music Enterprises release, Bob Marley & The Wailers—Easy Skanking in Boston ’78, captures the first of two sets that evening.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member is notable not only as the man who put reggae on the global map, but, as a statesman in his native Jamaica, Marley famously brought together the country’s warring factions — symbolized by rival politicians Michael Manley and Edward Siega joining hands on-stage – during his legendary “One Love Peace Concert” in Kingston, which took place on April 22, 1978, less than six weeks before this Music Hall performance in Boston. It was five years since Marley and the band arrived from Jamaica, with the 1977 release of Exodus, recorded in London just after an assassination attempt on his life, turned into not just a socio-political statement, but one which included such hits as the title track, “Waiting In Vain” and “One Love,” paving the way for their next release Kaya and a world tour in ’78. Together with his music’s theme of liberation. Marley’s own rags-to-riches story brought inspiration to subjugated people around the world, where he was revered as a larger-than-life leader.
The video was shot with a hand-held camera by someone who was sitting right in front of the stage, making for some remarkable found footage. While the cinematographer was shooting with film and was forced to change roles, the gaps in the live footage have been augmented with specially created animation over the existing audio. The 46-minute video includes seven of the 13 songs in the full set.