Renowned reggae historian Roger Steffens is among the presenters for the annual Bob Marley Lecture, scheduled for the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus on February 11.

The 72-year-old American, whose Los Angeles home is the location of his world-famous archive, said he will give insight into his latest Marley book, So Much Things to Say, scheduled for release this year.

“I’ll be doing an illustrated talk on archiving with photos of all the different components of my archives that now fill seven rooms, from floor to ceiling of our home in LA,” Steffens told the Jamaica Observer.

Under the theme, The Oral History of Bob Marley: Questions For Future Historians, Steffens plans to highlight versions of crucial events from his interviews with persons close to Marley and his band, The Wailers.

These include, “How The Wailers got their name, the recording of Simmer Down, Smile Jamaica (1976 peace concert) and possible CIA involvement…” said Steffens.

The New York-born Steffens discovered Jamaican music in the early 1970s. He first visited Jamaica in 1976 and recorded his only interview with Marley in 1979 when the singer toured California.

Steffens has written extensively on the Marley legend. His books include Bob Marley: Spirit Dancer,

And Bob Marley and The Wailers: The Definitive Discography.

The Marley lecture is staged by the UWI Reggae Studies Unit. It is endorsed by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) as part of Reggae Month activities.

Basil Walters