Tim Hughes looks forward to the return, tonight, of Bob Marley’s former band The Wailers

Musical giant, poet, activist and prophet. Few artists have had such a profound impact on the world as Bob Marley.

This year would have marked the 70th birthday of the visionary Rastafarian, born Robert Nesta Marley in Saint Ann, Jamaica.

But while the great man may have gone, cut down by cancer aged just 36, his legacy lives on, in the hearts and minds of his fans, and in the tangible form of his backing band The Wailers.

Tonight the group arrives in Oxford for a celebration of their former frontman’s life, playing many of his best-loved songs in the shape of classic album Legend.

The compilation, boasting such classics as No Woman No Cry, Three Little Birds, I Shot The Sheriff, and Jammin’, was released posthumously in 1984, and has remained a bestseller, certified platinum six times over, and the UK’s 18th best-selling album of all time. It has sold 33,000,000 copies worldwide, making it the biggest-selling reggae album ever.

“My life with The Wailers has been an odyssey,” says Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, who still plays bass with The Wailers. “We’ve come so far. Sharing this music with so many people around the world was my last promise to Bob and here we are.”

Bob’s place is occupied by Dwayne ‘Danglin’ Anglin, a Rastafarian who was born in Jamaica but now lives in America.

“It’s truly an honour and a privilege to sing Bob Marley’s songs,” he says. “I look up to his memory and it’s a great opportunity which I accept with humbleness,”

Of course, Bob would barely recognise the line-up today – with original members Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh leaving in 1974 and many others coming and going. Only Family Man represents a link to its past – but, with his killer bass grooves providing a trademark sound for the band, that is enough.

“Family Man has always been one of my favourite musicians,” says Danglin.

“He’s the king of the reggae bass line so it’s great to be playing alongside him. He’s a living legend and it’s a beautiful thing when you can learn from the best – you know the information is good. You don’t have to question or have any doubts as to the wisdom and knowledge. He’s a great man and he’s a quiet man; he speaks through his bass.”

Tonight’s gig will showcase many of Family Man’s best bass lines – on tunes such as Could You Be Loved, Exodus and Trenchtown Rock.

“Singing Legend is like going to a feast with all your favourite food,” says Danglin. “It is the most popular reggae album of all time and people have grown up and moved forward with those songs.

“Everyone needs nutrients and vitamins and these songs give you what you need. It’s a great album and I’m looking forward to performing it.”

The Wailers’ enduring devotion to Marley’s music has earned them admiration from fans, with the band performing up to 450 shows a year.

“Life on the road is good,” says Danglin. “But there is a lot of touring. We live in a world of demand and supply – and the demand for The Wailers is more than we can supply.

“It’s a great feeling though and every day is different.

“We play hard but the band is also really disciplined, so we work hard too. It’s all a matter of working hard and earning the respect of my fellow band members.

Our partying goes on on-stage; that’s what we are celebrating.”

Though, he admits, Marley’s ghost is never far away. “He was a saint and prophet and I accept the responsibility of carrying on the message, to build on the foundations and continue as respectfully as I can.”

GO ALONG
The Wailers play the O2 Academy tonight. Tickets from ticketweb.co.uk