THE LEGEND AND THE LAST STRONGMAN OF ROOTS REGGAE BURNING SPEAR IS COMING TO PRAGUE
It's time for good news! The dream of many reggae culture lovers will become a reality on August 2, 2025. One of the greatest veterans of reggae history - Mr. Burning Spear - will perform with his band on the circular stage of Prague's Lucerna Music Bar!
A living icon of the genre and author of hundreds of hits, at 80 years old he is one of the last of the roots reggae powerhouses of his generation. He was born Winston Rodney in 1945 in Jamaica just a month after Bob Marley. Both hailing from the parish of St Anne's on the island's north coast, they met early on. According to the story, it was Bob who recommended to Spear in 1969 that he record his first songs at Studio One, where he himself was starting out at the time. After a few singles and two albums, Burning Spear then headed off to record at Jack Ruby's studio, where his first big hit, Marcus Garvey, was recorded. The song celebrated this Jamaican national hero, who was a vital voice for the future equality of the African diaspora, who had been shipped overseas as cheap labour in slavery.
In addition to Garvey and Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, Spear cites Curtis Mayfield and James Brown as his musical influences. His own music, however, went in its own quite distinctive direction. He spoke of life in the mountains, the Rastafarian way of life and the realisation of his own worth. His deep voice, spiritual strength and physical energy, which he still has to spare even at eighty, have influenced generations of listeners around the world.
Over the course of a career spanning more than 50 years, he has received numerous awards including twelve Grammy nominations, including two Grammys, and has performed at the world's biggest festivals. His concerts are an extraordinary experience - not just musically, but spiritually. Czech audiences have a very unique opportunity to be there with us on Saturday, August 2.
