Banner image © Pete Still
Summer 2020 marked 40 years since Bob Marley & the Wailers played a legendary concert at Crystal Palace Bowl, on the 1980 'Uprising Tour'. This was to be their final performance in London & largest ever UK gig.
With the generous backing of Island Records and the local Crystal Palace community, a unique commemorative blue plaque has been Spacehive crowdfunded to celebrate this significant anniversary.
Image © Pete Still
Image © Adrian Boot
Developed in partnership with the Nubian Jak Community Trust, the special plaque design - heritage blue, ringed with the iconic reggae colours of red, yellow and green - has been unveiled near the open air stage in the park in October 2020, to coincide with Black History Month and Jamaican National Heroes Day
This project would not have been possible without the kind support of London Borough of Bromley, Friends of Crystal Palace Park and Crystal Palace Park Trust. We hope the plaque becomes a local - and London - landmark and a proud reminder of the remarkable musical heritage right here on our doorstep!
Plaque location, what3words.com: agenda.love.intervals
The plaque unveiling ceremony in October 2020, with the Mayor of Bromley - Cllr Hannah Gray, Dr Jak Beula and Ellie Reeves MP - Member of Parliament for Lewisham West and Penge.
“Bob Marley is a truly defining artist for Island Records.
His music and his message are constant reminders of the power and the importance of music in people’s lives.
The Crystal Palace Bowl concert is legendary and was also the last time Bob played in London. To have this giant of music and culture, honoured in this way, will help to inspire future generations and keep his message of love, hope, activism and spirituality alive”
Louis Bloom, President Island Records
Image © Pete Still
Were you lucky enough to be in the crowd that summers day in June 1980?
Do you remember the spellbinding rendition of Redemption Song?
Did you happen to record any bootleg audio / video or take any photo’s of the show?
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Image © Miri Davidovitz
Image © Miri Davidovitz