Reggae · March 30, 2015
‘Esquenta!’ welcomed Ponto de Equilíbrio in tribute to Bob Marley
The band Ponto de Equilíbrio has been touring Brazil promoting their show that pays tribute to the 70th anniversary of the greatest icon of
The band Ponto de Equilíbrio has been touring Brazil promoting their show that pays tribute to the 70th anniversary of the greatest icon of world reggae, Bob Marley. Having passed away in 1981, Bob's name remains strong, ideologically or commercially speaking. As May approaches, the month of his death, a shower of festivals, cultural interventions and shows in his name spring up across the country.
Recently the band Ponto de Equilíbrio took part in the Globo program "Esquenta!", hosted by Regina Casé. Of course the band's militant side was toned down by the network's well-known programming, after all nobody expected "Ditadura da Televisão" to be performed, but when it comes to reggae on major mass media outlets, that matters little.
(Click and watch an excerpt of "Janela da Favela")
The Marley covers "Is This Love" and "Could You Be Loved" (the latter sung by Kuky Lughon) energized the program's stage, along with the original song "Janela da Favela". In the interview segment, Regina Casé asks the guests about the importance of Bob's legacy for the world.
...the greatest legacy were the messages of peace, love, justice, freedom and equal rights..." - says Hélio Bentes, vocalist of Ponto de Equilíbrio.
Lucas Kastrup, drummer, explains the similarities between Brazil and Jamaica, its sad heritage and the similarity of the slave market, but how this positively influenced culture, religion and customs in both countries.
...the party was very crowded, so I climbed onto a chair. One of the chair legs broke, and so I wouldn't fall I grabbed onto a person. It was Bob Marley!" - the host recounts.
(Click and watch excerpts from the interview)
A few years later, Ziggy Marley performed in Brazil, and Benedita - Regina Casé's daughter who grew up in love with Bob Marley - really wanted to go. Even though she was only 4 years old, Regina and Benedita went to the show.
...at the end of the show I went to talk to Ziggy, and said I had met his father. He thought it was a joke, so I mentioned that Ariola party, where Bob told me the chair had broken because it had been made the wrong way, even giving details of what an ideal construction would be. Bob said that when he was younger he was a carpenter and - moreover - made chairs. Seeing it was true, Ziggy hugged me and we talked for hours..." - Regina Casé details.
(Benedita, Regina and Ziggy)
(Click and watch an excerpt of "Janela da Favela")
...the greatest legacy were the messages of peace, love, justice, freedom and equal rights..." - says Hélio Bentes, vocalist of Ponto de Equilíbrio.
Lucas Kastrup, drummer, explains the similarities between Brazil and Jamaica, its sad heritage and the similarity of the slave market, but how this positively influenced culture, religion and customs in both countries.
REGINA CASÉ AND BOB MARLEY
An interesting moment on the program was when Regina Casé described her encounter with the king of reggae. In 1980, the German label Ariola began its activities in Brazil, and to make the company's inauguration even more special, Bob Marley - together with Jacob Miller and Junior Murvin - was invited to the festivities. It was precisely on this occasion that the historic football match at Chico Buarque's house took place (read article). During the Ariola party, Regina Casé describes the unusual encounter:...the party was very crowded, so I climbed onto a chair. One of the chair legs broke, and so I wouldn't fall I grabbed onto a person. It was Bob Marley!" - the host recounts.
(Click and watch excerpts from the interview)
...at the end of the show I went to talk to Ziggy, and said I had met his father. He thought it was a joke, so I mentioned that Ariola party, where Bob told me the chair had broken because it had been made the wrong way, even giving details of what an ideal construction would be. Bob said that when he was younger he was a carpenter and - moreover - made chairs. Seeing it was true, Ziggy hugged me and we talked for hours..." - Regina Casé details.
(Benedita, Regina and Ziggy)
Category
#Reggae