Wailers Say VI Should Be Ready For Experience Of A Lifetime At Saturday Concert

For the first time since its formation in 1981, the Wailers Band, the original backers of legendary reggae pioneer Bob Marley, will perform in the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on Saturday.

Two of the group’s members, Junior Marvin (JM) and Josh Barrett (JB), spoke by telephone with this publication this afternoon, sharing their vast knowledge of the group’s mission, while assuring Virgin Islanders that the experience come Saturday will not only be memorable, but historic.

Below are some of the questions and answers from the interview.

After performing in so many places all over the world, if you could express one feeling, what would it be?

MJ: It’s about enjoying the gift of sharing and loving.

How do you feel people’s lives have been changed by the music you sing?

JM: Well I think first, our music is not only for just entertainment, but also for education and also a voice for people who are oppressed and people who need to have someone stand up for them. Not only that, it’s also from a spiritual angle as well with Rastafarianism. We believe in one love, we believe everyone on the planet is equal. Everyone deserves opportunity and everyone deserves education, a place to live and nourishment for their body, and we try to be that voice to make those who have, understand that sharing with those who don’t have is not a burden; it’s a gift and a joy.

Some people are afraid of sharing, they think you’re taking someone away from them. But in actuality you’re gaining something because you’re learning the gift of life, which is love, and love means to share. Hope always hopes and love never gives up, and we’re that voice to remind people that no man is an island, so we have to support each and be of service to and for each other.

Is this your first time the Virgin Islands?

JM: It is my first time in St. Thomas, yeah. It’s also the first time that Wailers will play there. And also with Bob’s son [Kymani Marley] being there, makes it even more historic because it will be the first time he’s performing on the same bill as the Wailers.

One thing that Bob said before he passed was, ‘Whatever you do, you Wailers, make sure that the standard of the music is high. – Junior Marvin.

What would you say are the ingredients that have kept the Wailers together?

We are forever loving Jah. When we think of Jah we think of love — brotherly love and sisterly love, you know? And everyone becomes your friend.

Let’s talk about the show. What should the people of the Virgin Islands expect when you guys get on stage?

JM: We’re at presently writing and recording new material, and we’ll be performing some of the new music. We’ll also be performing all the classics like War, Get Up, Stand Up, Natural Mystic, No Woman No Cry, I Shot the Sheriff, Could You Be Love, One Love — you know, all the classics. And if you guys are willing to stay up all night, we’ll stay up all night for you.

We’re going to try and get Damian to come on stage and jam with us — we’re trying to get all the kids to come.

We’re looking forward to it. Just let the people you that they got to be there because it’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

One of Bob’s dream was to have all of his songs translated to every language on the planet, so everyone could get the fullness.- Junior Marvin.

We recently spoke to Junior Marvin. With you being one of the youngest Wailers, being part of such a legendary group, how has the experience changed you over the years?

JB: At the time, as a young man in search of an identity, the Wailers music gave me the most important peace, and to look upon Haile Selassie (former emperor of Ethiopia). So that’s the inspiration.

People are excited about the Wailers and Kymani coming here. What should we expect?

JB: Well we’re carrying the message with the strength that we gained through the struggle, and we’re bringing that energy, and we’ll lively it up with the roots, rock, the reggae.

Everyone — although we were born in different places — everyone came from Ethiopia. That is all of our mother and our father. It is our god and creator with Emperor Selassie the first, so we’re going to bring in everybody on that level.

Should we expect to hear the big hits and classics?

JB: Yeah man. You know Wailers song book long, long, long for days. But we have that and we have some new music that we’re going to sing to show you that we’re still in tune with the people’s sentiments.