Reggae Sumfest 2009 was dedicated to Michael Jackson

I probably should've informed the community about this long
time, sorry guys I myself didnt know. I was too busy grieving
about michael.
This decision was announced at the Reggae Sumfest Montego Bay launch,
which was held at Pier One last year 2009. Chairman of Summerfest
Productions, Robert Russell, said the decision was made last weekend.

"We see Michael Jackson as one of the greatest icons in the music
industry in our lifetime. We saw it fitting to honour him at the show,"
Russell told The Sunday Gleaner.

"He impacted on all the people who grew up listening to his music over
the years, mine for sure. He definitely gave us some wonderful music."

In dedicating the festival to Michael Jackson, Russell said several acts
will be performing some of his songs. Ne-Yo is one of the acts confirmed
to do so.

At the launch, Russell said it is important that the top reggae show be
dedicated to the top musical star, as the world continues to mourn the
famed singer. Jackson passed away on Thursday, June 25, in Los Angeles
after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 50.

Jackson had actually visited and performed in Jamaica in 1975 as a
member of the Jackson Five. The group was hosted then by former Prime
Minister, Edward Seaga, at his home in Temple Meads, St Andrew. At
the time, Seaga was Opposition leader and head of the Jamaica Labour
Party. The Jackson Five was the opening act for Bob Marley and the Wailers
at the National Stadium.

The work of self-proclaimed 'King of the Dancehall' Beenie Man will
also be celebrated at the festival. However, Russell said the dedication
to Michael Jackson will not overshadow the tribute that is being done for
Beenie Man.

"Beenie Man will be honoured on dancehall night for his contribution.
He
will be honoured for his 30 years in the business. That is quite a
milestone
in the business," Russell said.

The 17th annual Reggae Sumfest will get under way on July 19 with the
annual beach party at Cornwall Beach, featuring Errol Lee and the Bare Essentials, Cameal Davis, Khalil, Timeka Marshall, ZJ Ice, DJ Mix Master
Marvin and Crazy Neil. They will be backed by Danger Zone Super Strong.

From July 23 to 25 at Catherine Hall, there will be performances from acts
such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Lady Saw,
Elephant Man, Busy Signal, Spice, Kiprich, Flippa Mafia, D'Angel,
American R&B stars Ne-Yo and Jazmine Sullivan, Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure,
Coco T, Queen Ifrica, multi-Grammy-winning star Toni Braxton, Nas, Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, Tarrus Riley, Etana and Da'Ville.

Reggae Sumfest brings in an estimated 5,000 visitors to the island,
along with US$5 million in revenue to Jamaica, according to a survey
done by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Reggae Sumfest is produced annually by Summerfest Productions.

The jackson 5 and their mom katherine in jamaica 1975
with bob marley.

This first picture is Michael Jackson's Mom Katherine Jackson
with the king of reggae, Bob Marley. you may click to enlarge
all the images.




This second image is King Of reggae bob marley, sitting comfortably
under a tree with michael jackson and his brothers

king of pop michael jackson doing a concert in
jamaica. .....1975






From left: Randy Jackson, Michael Jackson and Latoya Jackson
watch the performances at a ball held in their honour at the
Sheraton during their visit to the island in 1975. - File


Publisher and editor of the Western Mirror, Lloyd B. Smith,
was employed to Kingston Publishers in 1975 when a young Michael
Jackson and The Jackson Five performed at the National Stadium
in Jamaica.

He stayed at the then Sheraton Kingston hotel with a large
entourage that included his nanny and tutors.

Michael Jackson in jamaica holding a dove



Michael Jackson performing in Jamaica


Michael Jackson in jamaica holding dove
looking happy


Michael Jackson's did a portrait while he was on
de island of jamaica



Michael Jackson & his brothers the Jackson 5 performing in 1975
while he was in Jamaica





Pictures of the Jackson 5 in Jamaica

Bob Marley is one of our most important and influential artists.
Recorded in London after an assassination attempt on his life sent
Marley into exile from Jamaica, Exodus is the most lasting testament
to his social conscience. Named by Time magazine as “Album of the
Century,” Exodus is reggae superstar Bob Marley’s masterpiece of
spiritual exploration.

Vivien Goldman was the first journalist to introduce mass white
audiences to the Rasta sounds of Bob Marley. Throughout the late
1970s, Goldman was a fly on the wall as she watched reggae grow and
evolve, and charted the careers of many of its superstars, especially
Bob Marley. So close was Vivien to Bob and the Wailers that she was a
guest at his Kingston home just days before gunmen came in a rush to
kill “The Skip.” Now, in The Book of Exodus, Goldman chronicles the
making of this album, from its conception in Jamaica to the raucous
but intense all-night studio sessions in London.

But The Book of Exodus is so much more than a making-of-a-record story