Bob Marley remembered at Black History unveiling
10 October 2011
Black history was formally recognised this week at a special ceremony to celebrate Southampton’s musical past when the hugely popular Bob Marley and The Wailers played at a pub in Swaythling back in 1973.
The ceremony held last Friday (7 October) saw Southampton Solent University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore, unveil a special plaque to celebrate the unique event which took place at the former Coach House Club at The Fleming Arms in Swaythling in May 1973.
The evening commemorated this relatively unknown moment when a fledgling “Wailers” featuring Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and the Barrett brothers were establishing a reputation that was soon to become a musical phenomenon.
Unfortunately there are no recordings but the plaque will ensure that this astonishing local moment is not forgotten.
The tour was organised to support the album, ‘Catch a Fire’ and began in Nottingham and finished in New York with the band supporting Bruce Springsteen. Benji Foot,nephew of Michael Foot, was the tour manager and Southampton was the final gig in the UK before the American leg of the tour.
Fortunately three weeks before the gig Avenue Artists secured The Wailers for the Coach House Club. The fee for the band was approximately £75 and they were paid in cash on the night and unsurprisingly the gig was sold out.
Steve Gladders, the DJ on the night of the performance in 1973 commented: “On that night I stood transfixed, not knowing exactly what I was experiencing, but knowing that it was something very special. I was hypnotised.”
Dave Poulton a former Coach House DJ stated: "Caribbean magic came to Southampton for one night, it was a mesmerising moment."
Professor Van Gore commented: “It seems odd to describe Bob Marley as an unsung hero but, as far as his connections with Southampton are concerned, that seems to be the case. Like so much of Black History, his presence and performance in the city have remained hidden. I am delighted, though, that they are now to be celebrated and the record put straight.”
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October sees Southampton Solent University embracing Black History Month where the culture and history of people of African, Caribbean, the Americas, Asian and mixed descent are celebrated.
In partnership with the University, local cultural coordinators are holding a Caribbean Cricket Exhibition which celebrates the sporting skill of past Afro-Caribbean players. The exhibition runs from Friday 7 October until Friday 4 November in the foyer of Southampton Solent University’s Conference Centre, Above Bar Street.