Amandla: The Video
I’ve found this article on the web at http://reebee.net/2009/action/amandla-the-video/
by Reebee on April 14th, 2009
Thirty years ago this July 21, there was an historic concert in Harvard Stadium called “Amandla: Festival of Unity,” its name taken from the Zulu word for “the power that gives freedom.” This seven-hour, sun-drenched celebration of cultural power featured Bob Marley and the Wailers, Patti Labelle, Eddie Palmieri, Olatunji, Jabula, and special guest Dick Gregory. Amandla was no ordinary festival.
Bob Marley at Amandla, Harvard Stadium, July 21, 1979
With South Africa still under apartheid, Nelson Mandela languishing in prison on Robben Island, and black revolutionary organizations engaged in armed struggle against white minority rule throughout the region, Amandla dared to be “a benefit concert for relief and humanitarian aid” for the liberation organizations of the frontline states, all of whom sent their official UN delegations to the event. It would not be stretching the point to say that Amandla was a magical blend of music and politics that made an indelible mark that lives on in the hearts and minds of the thousands of people who were in attendance. Everyone who came was totally in synch with the spirit of the day; from artists and audience members to the barefoot doctors and people’s security who had been specially trained for six months to insure an uplifting and empowering event with a clear message of unity and social justice both in southern Africa and at home in Boston. For his part, brother Bob Marley delivered one of the most inspired and inspiring performances of his career. Soon, it may be possible to relive this memorable performance on the video player of your choice.
I am fortunate to have been a member of the Amandla Production Group. At the last minute, we made a decision to videotape the show. The result was an incredible three-camera shoot that captured all the power and intensity of Bob Marley’s music and message. For the past 30 years we have been negotiating the sale of that videotape with the Marley family. I am pleased to announce that on January 2 of this year, we concluded the sale. It remains for the Marley folks to edit the footage into a video that does justice to the music and politics of Amandla and Bob Marley’s central role in it. And it remains for us to identify the worthy causes and progressive organizations that should be the recipients of this new source of good fortune.
This summer–probably some time in July–we plan to stage a thirtieth anniversary tribute of some kind in remembrance of Amandla and what it meant to everyone involved. More news about the film and the funding should be available by then. I also plan to add a series of Amandla pages to this website over the next little while. Meanwhile feel free to offer your ideas, questions, and comments about Amandla, and any memories you would like to share.
News on the Amandla Video,
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is the video available for viewing in its entirety? where can it be bought? is it on the internet? please get back i’m very much interested.
I worked that show. At the time I was a 19 year old CETA kid working at Boston City Hall with a crew setting up sound systems all summer for concerts on the plaza for the Jubilee 350. One of my bosses at City Hall was this beautiful, very slight fair skinned gal who was involved with programming the concerts. She was somehow involved with organizing Amandla – she flew down to Jamaica to secure Marley’s participation. She was gone about two weeks. She always was kind of button down in appearance and behaviour, but when she got back she was all blissed out – combed out her fro real large – was just glowing. Anyhow, we got roped into working the show.
I was the lowliest of roadies. It took a couple days to set up. It turned nice the afternoon of the show. I was in the backstage area when Marley arrived encircled in a crowd. I was grabbing some water and thought I’d say hello. He was small in stature for such a larger than life man… like a kid brother. As I got close a couple enormous guys rose up to prevent me from coming closer. HUGE guys, more thug life than jah love. Really scary looking guys. I was just an idiot kid. I could hear Marley talking but I couldn’t understand the words coming out of his mouth. I grabbed a couple mangoes and ate them with my girl.
Hi Jbart nice news can you tell us more about this experience, maybe we can set up a interview with you, have you any pictures with you and Bob or images taken from the concert?