A Conversation with Roger Steffens

[@rogersteffens2185]

Beautifully assembled, thanks for doing this Zeb. I'd like to make a couple of corrections. The day of our talk I received word, which subsequently proved to be incorrect and premature, that the Jamaican government had signed the deal for the land on which to build my museum. As of today, Jan. 10, 2023, that contract has yet to be signed unfortunately. Also, the first attempt to purchase my collection came in 1987 so it was 35 years ago, not 45. Surrounded by 45s, I guess I had that number in mind. And Phil Keoghan went to 130 countries for "The Amazing Race," but the syndicated show that Hank Holmes and I had called "Reggae Beat International" was not on the air in 130 countries, but rather on 130 stations around the world. Once again, my thanks and gratitude in knowing that there are young, knowledgeable people around like you and Sol Ramirez, who are going to keep the true history alive when guys like me are long gone. I wish Jah blessings on all your crucial works! - Ras RoJah/Roger Steffens

[@GriotMareh]

Thank you for your time and corrections Roger. We promise to keep the history of reggae alive🙏

[@writtenbyraymildo8557]

Thank you for your wise words and I discovered this clip some weeks ago. Ras Rojah. You're my biggest inspiration like our best friend Mike. I will mail you very soon.

[@gerardofierros4165]

Mr. Steffens it was an honor to meet you today! What a coincidence and blessing it was to meet you on mine and Bob's birthday. Thank you so much for everything!

[@flynncremin6347]

Ras RoJah, I read your book when it first came out, ‘The oral history of Bob Marley‘ and, whilst I had been a follower of Bob for a good while at that point, I had never felt a ‘connection’ to Bob, the music and what he stood for until I read your book. This was some years ago now and my passion has only grew. I’ve been playing and creating reggae music some time now. Your wisdom on the reggae music scene is phenomenal and even more so incredible that ordinary people just like myself and everyone here can hear these wonderful, interesting and inspiring stories for time and time to come. I hope that one day you hear what I put out there. I hope more so that you see I play and maybe, just maybe, we share some wisdom over some wise man’s herb. One love my brother, one single love.

[@djtwelvetwenty2939]

I’ve never heard what bobs diet was like. I do know he ate meat at one time. Heard rare interview where he said “ yea, beef good “. Just wondering if roger ever asked bob about it

[@kutchie420]

I could listen for hours

[@ForensicDredx]

This was great to hear ❤❤❤❤❤

[@PaulPhipps-ls9lb]

Beautiful amazing roger your a true wealth of knowledge, and I'm always amazed at your willingness to pass on the information. You know my love, be with you always. Xx

[@Porquemicafe]

WOW WOW WOW WOW. I really hope the person who bought his archives does justice by it. Was always expecting the marley family to buy it. Just plain out awesome

[@mrdanyel73]

Guy's this is so nice, all those stories, great work! I am soaking it up with so much pleasure being a reggae fan/collector myself since the 80's and have seen some of Roger's interviews as well I am watching all the episodes

[@godfreyjarrett6696]

Respect 🙏 Roger peter tosh was a great singer

[@KameaMedia]

Hi Roger: Much love from Western Mass. Wolf

[@sirjamesrecords1432]

excellent interviewe thanks !

[@marloclarke2149]

☝🏾❤️💛💚🖤🇯🇲

[@HowIviewtheworld]

I have been waiting a long time to put this question out there and get some clarification. Is Bob Marley the original writer for the song, “I can see clearly now?” I was told he wrote it and gave it to Johnny Nash. I think if anyone know the truth to this would be you Mr. Steffens.

[@rogersteffens2185]

Johnny wrote it.

[@HowIviewtheworld]

@@rogersteffens2185 it’s a beautiful song. Thanks brother! I will tell My source of information their claim is bogus.

[@MojoRising-oi9ef]

Wow! What a great video! 👏👌👍 So good to settle some facts here amidst the jungle of rumors and mixed up stories about Bob and his amazing life, music and contributions to humanity. Not to mention all the quotes of Bob’s alleged sayings that burn like wild fire over the net nowadays. 🤦🏻😂 Well, we are flock animals that just looooove gossip in our cozy herd after all. Quite understandable, actually, as we share 99% DNA with chimpanzees and even 97.5% with hamsters. 🤷🏻‍♂️ No offense to animals, though. 😉 Bless up, thanks and peace! ☮️❤️💛💚🕉️🙏

[@BILLYROVEDAS-u8u]

This reporter dont know who he is speaking to,this full gentleman would have created ah genre of righteousness to many upon babylons shores,cured the hearts of many to progress!!! Babylon Champions💯💯💯

[@MessiahJah]

25:50

[@rogersteffens2185]

Bob ate meat after being diagnosed with cancer in 1977. Cindy Brakspeare cooked liver for him to strengthen him.

[@alsolomantrotman6969]

She could cook?

[@ganjafarmer1572]

"It wasn't until they broke big in England that the people in Jamaica started paying serious attention to the Wailers." FALSE Reggae was not played on the two radio stations JBC and RJR. The Wailers ruled the dancehalls , where roots Jamaicans listened to music. Wailers were the original rude boys, listen to Duppy Conqueror, Jailhouse, Screwface, Soul Rebel.

[@rogersteffens2185]

I respectfully disagree. If you read my latest book, "So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley," you will see Bunny and Skill talk about the "forced airplay" that began around '73, and especially '74, when Skill went into the radio stations, and Bob sat outside in his car listening to the station to be sure his record was played. Many, many Jamaicans have told me that other groups dominated during the earlier pre-stardom period - the Maytals, the Techniques, and others. I stand by my statement above.

[@ganjafarmer1572]

@@rogersteffens2185 no problem with disagreement boss. Just because D Topping or whoever would spin a 1 track in 74, what happened when Bob drove off ? Spinners, Stylistics, Chi Lites.....my point is that in the dancehall , where WE the roots massive listened to muzik , the Wailers were stars. I am talking Tippatone , King Tubby's , Ray Symbolic, Quaker City in MoBay , and I stand by my statement. Do you remember PNP Bandwagon which toured JA before 72 election ? Ask Max Romeo , he was on that tour w/ Wailers, Inner Circle and Clancy Eccles. JBC did not play reggae until Mikey Dread 78/79 , RJR even less. ( OK , Ernie Smith and Pluto) Respect to Barry G , Michael Campbell is the greatest radio jock EVER in Jamaica.

[@noriwilliams4637]

Roger Dudus helped a lot of poor people where the government did not in Jamaican ghettos. Please dont speak ill of the dead Bunny was a Great man and Artist.

[@ryansteffens852]

Bunny was an artist for sure, but not a great man

[@javierchavez1754]

Always a privillage

[@MegaFOUNDATION1]

YOUTH- YOU ARE SPEAKING TO THE WRONG MAN ABOUT OUR REGGAE TRENCH TOWN HISTORY. HE NEVER COME FROM TRENCH TOWN. YOU NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT TRENCH TOWN FOLKS LIKE RAS CARDO TO GET THE TRUTH. ROGER STEFFENS CANNOT HELP YOU. GO SEEK THOSE WHO GREW UP WITH AND WHO KNOWS THESE PEOPLE.

[@ryansteffens852]

you have no idea what you're talking about

[@XWNLOX]

Turn off the caps lock, freak.

[@faithxaas6730]

Bob Marley groupie. His Book was trash

[@writtenbyraymildo8557]

Your comment is trash 😒