The Story of Bob Marley in Brazil – 1980
Bob Marley visited Brazil in 1980 from March 18 until March 20. The principal reason was to promote the launch of the Ariola label in Brazil.
On Tuesday, March 18, Bob Marley, his guitarist Junior Marvin, Jacob Miller, Chris Blackwell and his girlfriend Nathalie Delon boarded a private jet, ready for a long flight heading towards Rio de Janeiro. Bob declared to the TV reporters covering the event in the airport was: “We are very close. Reggae and Samba come from Africa, have the same roots!”.
On Wednesday, Bob, Junior Marvin and Jacob Miller made some tourism and visited Rio de Janeiro. They also made some shopping in music and sport store: Bob buy some Brazilian percussion instruments and a mandolin.
The afternoon, a Football game was organized with Bob Marley, Junior marvin, Jacob Miller, Toquinho, Chico Buarque and Paulo César against Alceu Valença, Chicão (from the Brazilian band Jorge) and 4 other people from the Brazilian recording scene and Bob’s team won 3-0.
Bob seemed to really enjoy himself and be relaxed in Brazil, and he probably creates a lot of songs here (like the beautiful bossa nova track “Pray for me”).
The group leaves Brazil to Saint Maarten (on their way to Jamaica) and they were interviewed by Dave Douglas here.
On March 23, Jacob Miller has just died in a car accident. The accident took place on Hope Road: Jacob was tired because of the trip to Brazil and lost his concentration when he was trying to take care of his children who were in the back of his car.
