ST LEONARDS ON SEA.- Lucy Bell Gallery presents Dennis Morris’s exceptional photographs of Bob Marley.

“No Woman No Cry”, “One Love”, “Redemption Song”, “3 Little Birds” and “Could You Be Loved” are among the most successful and recognisable songs ever recorded. Bob Marley was an influential reggae pioneer who achieved global superstardom.

Following the success of his Music + Life exhibition at the Photographers’ Gallery in London, Dennis Morris returns with a deep dive into his extensive Bob Marley archive.

As a teenage reggae fan, Dennis Morris was well aware of the emerging reggae musician Bob Marley when he arrived in England with the Wailers for their first full UK tour. Morris was there to greet them at the legendary Speakeasy club in May 1973. Marley snuck Morris into the gig, then asked him to join the tour and take photographs. It was the start of a strong friendship and unrivalled photographic access. Morris ran home to Dalston, packed a bag and set off on a journey that launched his career in music photography.

Dennis says: “Through these photos, I hope you, the viewer, will feel the love, joy, hope, defiance and strength radiating from the great man Bob Marley. Long live the King!”

The exhibition brings together a selection of pictures taken by Morris between 1973 and 1980. All of them are iconic. Because of their friendship, Morris was able to deliver insightful portraits of Marley from the early days of his career in Europe through to his emergence as a global superstar. In these intimate portraits, viewers see the real Marley: in his Jamaican garden; on his tour bus; in a hotel room with his guitar; playing table tennis. Marley’s charisma and presence shine through in all of them. Morris also brings many stories from those years.

Limited edition, signed, fine art prints of Morris’s Bob Marley photographs are available to buy. Morris’s work with Marley led to reggae fan Johnny Rotten asking him to photograph the Sex Pistols. Morris has also created significant photo sessions for PiL, Marianne Faithfull, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse and the Stone Roses. He was also the singer in the influential post-punk band Basement 5.

Alongside the exhibition, Music + Life is also available as a beautifully printed coffee table book by renowned art book publisher Thames & Hudson.


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