“In 1976 Bob Marley & The Wailers dropped in on the Santa Barbara Bowl. It was part of The Rastaman Vibration tour which began at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 1976, and ended in Manchester, England, on June 27, 1976. Along the way, they stopped in Santa Barbara and played to a sold-out crowd. ”
These, never before published photos, are from the collection of Randy Erikison, staff photographer of a generation of music lovers and a devoted Marley fan.
He's captured the essence, not only of a laid-back concert scene with fans hanging out on stage, but of the Marley known and loved the world over.
Marley played with his full line-up: Bob Marley, vocals, rhythm guitar; Aston Barrett, bass; Carlton Barrett, drums; Donald Kinsey, lead guitar; Earl "Chinna" Smith, lead guitar; Tyrone Downie, keyboards; Alvin Patterson, percussion; The I-Threes, backing vocals.
The Marley strut as seen on the 1976 version of the Santa Barbara Bowl stage.
The amazing I Three, popularly called I Threes, Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths. Their band name is a spin on the Rastafarian ‘I and I’ concept.
