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Tony recounts some personal memories of Bob Marley

In 1969 or early 70's Bob used to pick me up at my gate to go to rehearsal up at Johnny Nash's house, but the first time we met Bob, Peter and Bunny was when we recorded 'Sun is Shining' and 'Duppy Conqueror' for producer Lee Scratch Perry. As it turn out Scratch later recorded Duppy Conqueror with Family Man, Carly and Glen Adams and Reggie but did end up using the riddim we did and released it with new vocals and called it Mr. Brown. We did a few shows backing up the Wailers in Kingston and a few more recording sessions for Bob's record label called Wail N' Soul M'. Bob used to pay Fully and I with personal checks that we would collect at his record store.  At that time Bob was not a big international star as yet. The Wailers were big in Jamaica but remember the Wailers was not a band in those days, it was a singing trio with Bob Peter and Bunny. I miss those days!

"The time when I played with Bob at Tivoli Gardens wasn't planned. It just happened and was very soon after Bob had been shot. Soul Syndicate was already on the bill as Tappa Zukie's backing band and also on the bill was Inner Circle and some other artists but Bob and the Wailers headlining. Tivoli Gardens was in JLP Territory and this concert had strong political ties. The venue was packed and strong herb smell was in the air.  All the artists performed their set with very good response from the audience. We were a little nervous that there might be gunshots at any moment, but none ever went on. Bob was the headliner and everyone was waiting and looking forward to his performance.  There was a long delay and we were wondering what was taking so long.  We got to find out that some of Bob's musicians did not show up for the show - I heard they were worried about violence breaking out and, remember, this was just after Bob had been shot - so Bob asked me if I would jam with him. Others agreed to fill in... Chinna, Ian Lewis (Inner Circle bass player) keyboardist Touter, Junior Marvin and myself did the show with Bob. We didn't have a set list so Bob just called out songs as we went and it was very magical.  Bob played longer than originally expected and vibes were strong!  I had never played some of Bob's newer songs so Junior was calling out the chords to me and Junior didn't know some of the older songs so I was calling the chords out to him.  I don't remember what happened after the show but I wish someone would have recorded the show.  Soon after that the PNP Party asked Syndicate to play on one of their events but we weren't sure about it until Fully's father, who was our manager, said we should do it so - as to not show any partiality to one of the parties over the other. So we did that show as well and all was good.

The last time I saw Bob was in 1980 in Paris.  Soul Syndicate was on tour with UROY at the time and Bob was also on tour there.  I went to Bob's hotel and saw Judy Mowatt in the lobby and she greeted me and took me up to Bob's suite.  Tyrone Downie answered the door and he was happy to see me and told me that Bob was using Soul Syndicate's riddim called Stalag 17 for the opening number for their show! We chatted awhile and then he took me into Bob's room.  There was Bob, Skill Cole and a next rasta I didn't know.  I could tell Bob was not well as his face was looking drawn and gaunt but he still was expressive and lively joking while he played with his ratchet knife in his hand. We reasoned for a bit and then I left not knowing that would be the last time I talked to Brother Bob. He was always my greatest musical inspiration, and still is to this day.

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Remembering Bob Marley