THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9509280191
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Just over 25 years ago, in the hills of St. Ann's Parish on the island of Jamaica, Winston Rodney met a man moving supplies to his farm.
The man, guiding buckets of feed slung over a donkey, introduced himself as Bob Marley. The conversation turned to music.
``We just reason man to man,'' Rodney says. ``And I say I would like to get involved in the music business.''
Marley, already a national hero and international recording artist, suggested that Rodney audition at Marley's recording home, the legendary Studio One.
Rodney passed the audition and went on to record two albums, ``Days of Slavery'' and ``Marcus Garvey Words Come to Pass.'' He also took on the stage name Burning Spear.
The name comes from the African freedom fighter and Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, who was called ``burning spear'' in his time.
Both Kenyatta and Rodney were heavily influenced by the teachings and philosophy of Marcus Garvey, who preached self-reliance and self-determination for all African descendants.
Rodney dedicated - or, as he says, ``dreadicated'' - himself to preserving and spreading Garvey's spirit. After moving to Island Records in the early 1970s, Spear recorded ``Marcus Garvey,'' ``Man in the Hills'' and ``Garvey's Ghost.''
These albums had an immediate impact on the reggae world and helped establish Rodney as a powerful new voice of social consciousness.
In the 1980s, Rodney recorded probably his finest album, ``Hail H.I.M.'' The album, long out of print, was released by the American company Heartbeat in mid-1994.
Rodney's brand of reggae is different. His consciousness-raising lyrics are delivered in a style best described as chanting. On stage, Burning Spear often loses himself in his message, looking to the heavens for answers.
His crack eight-piece band, with its three horn players, drummer, percussionist, keyboard player, bassist and guitarist, gives the music a pulsating, jazzy, hypnotic tone.
Rodney brings his burning band to Nags Head Oct. 7, as part of his ``50th Birthday Tour.''
And even in his 50th year on earth, Rodney shows no signs of slowing down. Just this past May, he picked up four International Reggae Music Awards: best music video, the Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year, the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award and induction into the International Reggae Hall of Fame.
And after 25 years on the road, Rodney's message hasn't changed. He still maintains a political purity. While other artists swerve along the reggae road, Rodney stays in his own lane.
``All reggae music should have its own space,'' he says. ``But the music should be clean, uplifting and constructive. It should be a guidance, especially to the younger generation.''
Burning Spear, who has a huge following in Europe and Asia, plans to tour and record indefinitely. There is just no letting up for the man who has dedicated his life to music, teaching within music and the struggle for justice.
The late Bob Marley would be happy to know his friend is still ``jammin.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SHONNA VALESKA
Winston Rodney, took on the stage name Burning Spear shortly after
he started recording with Bob Marley's recording home, Studio One.
Rodney's name comes from the African freedom fighter and Kenya's
first president, Jomo Kenyatta, who was called ``burning spear'' in
his time. Both Kenyatta and Rodney were heavily influenced by the
teachings and philosophy of Marcus Garvey, who preached
self-reliance and self-determination for all African descendants.
by CNB