MARLEY… lived in London after 1976 assassination attempt in Jamaica (Photo: AP)
A house in London where Bob Marley sought refuge after the trauma of an assassination attempt in Jamaica is to have an English Heritage blue plaque installed, the UK Guardian newspaper reported yesterday.
Marley and his band, the Wailers, lived at the house on Oakley Street, off King’s Road in Chelsea, in 1977. During that time they completed recording Exodus, Marley’s ninth studio album, described as a masterpiece and which was named by Time magazine as “The best album of the 20th century”.
Exodus, which remained on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks, included the UK hit singles title track Exodus, Waiting In Vain, Jamming, and One Love.
“When they were not recording they would make the short trip over the Albert Bridge to play football in Battersea Park,” the Guardian report stated.
According to the Guardian story, in addition to Marley, novelist Angela Carter, writer and traveler Gertrude Bell, and war correspondent Martha Gellhorn were among a cluster of names announced yesterday as figures to be celebrated in 2019 by the London heritage scheme.
English Heritage trustee and blue plaques panel member, historian David Olusoga, was reported as saying he was particularly excited by the Marley plaque.
Marley, the story said, once commented that he regarded London as his second home, and his stay provided provided much-needed stability after the horrific events of 1976 when gunmen shot him, his wife Rita, and his manager Don Taylor.
The attack was carried out at Marley’s Old Hope Road home, which is now the site of the Bob Marley Museum.
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