Last year, they celebrated Marley's 69th birthday by naming the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road as their first affiliate, and this year the Grammy Museum has decided to step it up a notch by officially declaring February 6 as Bob Marley Day at the international museum.

The decision was disclosed in a recent interview with the Grammy Museum's director, Bob Santelli. While admitting that there was nothing special being planned to celebrate the icon's 70th at this year's Grammy Awards, set to take place at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on February 8, Santelli said the Grammy Museum was nevertheless dedicated to commemorating the milestone in their own way.

Music Still Powerful

"The Grammy Museum will mark the 70th anniversary of Bob Marley's birth by proclaiming February 6 'Bob Marley Day' at the Grammy Museum," he disclosed. Santelli went on to heap praises on the late reggae icon, saying that more than three decades after his death, his music is still as powerful today as it was when he was alive. "Even with his passing more than 30 years ago, Marley's music remains as powerful and as important as ever, and if Bob Marley were alive today, his music would continue to resonate around the world."

Partnership

Almost a year after the Bob Marley Museum was named as the first affiliate of the Grammy Museum, Santelli told The Gleaner that the partnership has been fruitful and should continue throughout the years. "Both museums will continue its partnership," said Santelli. "Over the past year, the Grammy Museum has conducted numerous classes, teaching the music and legacy of Bob Marley to Los Angeles schoolchildren, and that has been highly successful."

As a result of the successful partnership between the two organisations, and also commemorating the 70th birthday celebrations, Santelli revealed that plans to install a new Bob Marley exhibit are currently under way. "We're also planning a new Bob Marley exhibit that will tour in the United States and Brazil in the coming months, so that is something to look forward to as well."

shereita.grizzle@gleanerjm.com