It was an awesome and humbling experience seeing and hearing the legendary Wailers perform at the Oregon Zoo. Watching such giants of music history was incredible, and the sold out audience smiled, swayed, cheered, and was filled with One Love.
We had a chance to interview one of The Wailers, Chico (trumpet), who performed with the great Bob Marley. Chico chatted with us as if we were part of his family. He welcomed us with smiles, warmth, and kindness. Here is what he had to say:
melophobe: The Wailers have been together for a long time now. How did the Wailers stay together and remain so successful all of these years?
Chico: The Wailers have kept their music lyrically centered not only on our own experiences, but on the experiences of the world as a whole. That’s why the lyrics remain relevant. Everyone can relate to these experiences, as well as the music, which is the root.
melophobe: The Wailers are known all over the [world] as being the band that popularized Reggae music. How did that come about, and how did you develop that sound?
Chico: Bob Marley created relevant, powerful lyrics. The music is the root and the rest of the tree grows from that root. Our experiences all stem from the music.
melophobe: You are touring all over the world now. You have done so much for the music world. What is next for the Wailers?
Chico: We’ll keep touring and playing music. A compilation album will be coming out early next year with the Wailers music as well as sounds from Eve and the Dave Mathews Band.
melophobe: Bob Marley is still loved and remembered by millions of fans. Even young children born long after his passing, are huge fans. Why do you think that is?
Chico: The music he wrote is so relevant to every generation. The people and fans are the water that make the root grow. Without the water there would be no leaves, or tree at all.
melophobe: What do you want the public to know about Bob Marley?
Chico: Bob Marley was a very smart man. I was only 21 years old while we were recording. I was so elated to be able to play with him. He would often go outside and play football while we were recording. He was a survivor.
Melephobe: What do you want the public to know about the Wailers?
Chico: The Wailers have been on the road so long. It’s been a pleasure to play all over the world. We’ve played in Thailand and China . . . . We’ve played in places where they don’t even speak English, but they can still understand the music. They relate to the universal bass and beat.
melophobe: When all is said and done, generations from now, how do the Wailers want to be remembered?
Chico: The music. We want them to remember the music. That is the root of everything.
Justin Townes Earle + Joe Pug - 2/14
Doug Fir Lounge
The Magnetic Fields - 2/21
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/22
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/23
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/24
Aladdin Theatre
El Perro Del Mar - 2/28
Doug Fir Lounge
Basia Bulat - 3/8
Mississippi Studios
Avey Tare was in attendance, along with Angel from Dirty Projectors.
by David on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 08.35 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
Good catch, oh masked marvel.
by Ari Sommer on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.42 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
St. Sincent...ha.
by anonymous on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.04 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
Aan was amazing.
by jarrod on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.02 pm from the entry: Blue Horns + Morning Teleportation + Aan - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR Jan. 30, 2010)
I’d like to clarify that for this show they cut off the back half of Neumo’s floor with a curtain and had the upstairs bar closed. It made Neumo’s obviously seem much smaller than it is. Unfortunately, now having seen Neumo’s fully open at another show I can say that this show was very empty. Still White Denim and Brazos rocked.
by Chris on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.57 am from the entry: White Denim + Brazos - Neumos (Seattle, WA; Jan. 24, 2010)
I agree, it’s very good. Way to deflate their balloon.
by colin on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.03 am from the entry: Third Annual Portland Music Awards - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jan. 28, 2010)
Love the photos. And that “Walkabout” song is the drugs.
by Beth Doreian on Sun Feb 7, 2010 at 01.14 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
