When I walked through Neasden on Saturday morning, I noticed that many of the buildings and shopfronts were decorated with murals of Bob Marley. The one above is probably the largest, by Mr Cenz. Here's a video showing it being painted last summer.
At first I thought it was simply a theme agreed upon by all the local businesses -- someone loved Bob Marley. But then I read that Marley and the Wailers actually lived in Neasden back in 1972. They rented a house a short walk from this high street, a center of Jamaican and Caribbean culture in the UK.
I didn't go see the house itself, which has a blue plaque designating its significance. (Here it is on Google Street View.) But I liked these shopfronts.
The eyes on this one look a bit wild from a distance...
...but perfectly normal up close.
The one on the right isn't Marley-esque...
...nor is this, but I liked them anyway. Why are those chickens so happy? They should be terrified.
I had a Bob Marley CD at some point but I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan. I do remember playing it while sitting on the patio with some friends at their house in Orlando, the sun shining down, the swimming pool sparkling, the Coronas on ice, and in that kind of environment the music fit right in. (Probably should have been Red Stripe rather than Corona, but oh well.)
Anyway, it was interesting to learn this little bit of local history!
I couldn't resist and took a short trip on Google Street View with the help of your link, on one of the streets I saw a couple with a Supermarkt cart far from any Supermarkt, it was taken in 2022 but maybe there is another cart in the area waiting to be rescued.
ReplyDeleteHa-ha! I love the fact that Bob Marley lived in such a dull, suburban house. I bet the neighbours were often pissed off about the "jamming" next door. Where did Bob Marley do his grocery shopping back in 1972 I wonder because there would not have been a Tesco Express round the corner in those days.
ReplyDeleteMemories of a good musician.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of space on those shutters..if an area has to have them, unpainted they can create a sad and unpleasant atmosphere
Can you imagine the fragrance emanating from that house? We've got a Bob Marley mural in Fuengirola but it's outside a used music shop.
ReplyDeleteThose chickens are sellouts, paid to lure unsuspecting chickens into Sam’s. Their day will come.
I like the last photo of Marley. I've read a bit about him. He's interesting and I found him quite hot.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy his music, though I am not a huge fan, but every time I see his face I smile; it's the look of joy, I think.
ReplyDeleteVery timely, the movie just having premiered! Marley is one of those people who get more and more famous after their life.
ReplyDeleteWhen w lived in Manchester, late fifties, there was an influx of Caribbean people, and we quickly found that Trinidadians and Jamaicans didn't mix, very much at odds with each other, never found out why. But I learned not to group people as if they had everything in common. Some very different cultures.
Our Norwegian friend Anne-Helene who lived with us for awhile loved Bob Marley and reggae in general. That's who I think of when I hear reggae. She also loved the sun and would sit on our back steps with Lily when she was a two-year old and they would listen to reggae music on the boom box. She loved Jamaica, too. Funny how such a distant culture could call to her so strongly. But obviously, Bob Marley appealed to many the world over and still very much does.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son who lives with me loves Bob Marley music as he says it helps keep him calm on his long driving commute to work.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Bob Marley movie coming out now might have spurred all of that graffiti but maybe it is always there because of his history.
I love all the bright colors!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the people of Neasden are proud of their connection to Marley. They've done a great job with all the murals. I think the one in the top photo is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThose to chickens look like life is good in the farmyard. They are in for a rude awakening.
In recent weeks, the television has been full of adds for the new Bob Marley movie.
ReplyDeleteI love the happy chickens, though you are right -- they should be running,not smiling! The Marley murals are impressive. I continue to be in awe of anyone who can paint things that big!
ReplyDeleteBM and reggae for me means a tropical vibe and beach music. Even limbo. Good times. Did the city commission artists to paint BM images/portraits on the buildings?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing the murals. I've loved the ones I've seen in Alaska and in Montreal.
ReplyDeleteAll those murals of Marley are a lot more fun (and eye-catching) than a plain old "Bob Marley slept/lived here" plaque!
ReplyDeleteI use to like Red Stripe, but haven't had one in ages.
Beautiful pieces of art
ReplyDeleteThe building side
Especially so
Wow! Bob Marley, Red Stripe, some Jerk Chicken on the grill. Good times, my friend, good times.
ReplyDeleteMarley had a great influence on the music world and I did listen to some of his music.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful art, so colourful. I don't know any Bob Marley songs, never had any albums. When I first moved here the upstairs neighbours across the drive were Jamaican and on weekends they'd have friends come over and there'd be BBQ on the tiny balcony and reggae pumping from their speakers, it was great! Probably some of it was Bob Marley. I used to sit on the steps listening.
ReplyDeleteYael: Ha! I think I have to confine my efforts to my street. Otherwise I'll go insane. :)
ReplyDeleteYP: Yeah, you gotta wonder what the neighbors thought. Then again, maybe they were fans!
GZ: I agree -- they look much better painted, and the murals discourage graffiti tagging.
Mitchell: Maybe it's already come? It's an "in memoriam" mural.
Andrew: I really don't know much about him, except that he died fairly young.
Bob: He does seem very joyful and his music was always so positive.
Boud: Interesting! I suspect any one group of people can find a reason to dislike or mistrust any other group of people. Humans are funny like that.
Ms Moon: It IS funny that reggae brings to mind a Norwegian! It's a small world after all, as Uncle Walt said.
Ellen D: I didn't even realize a Marley movie is coming out. The things I learn via blogging!
Bug: Yes, they are very colorful! (Unlike Neasden in general.)
Sharon: I like the top one the most, too -- obviously the most complex.
Ed: We haven't been seeing them here. Maybe the release date is later here. (We also don't see many ads.)
Jeanie: I know -- it's amazing that artist can make streaks of spray paint blend into a proportional, large-scale mural. I don't know how he does it.
Susan: The council (local government) posted that video, so it seems it may have sponsored the large mural, at least. Maybe it did have a hand in all of them!
Margaret: Bob is famous the world over! He was very popular in Morocco when I lived there in the early '90s.
Kelly: I haven't either! Beer is beer to me, to be honest.
John: Yes, the large one is especially impressive and I love the colors.
Catalyst: Spoken like someone who knows!
Red: Yes, he was SO influential across so many cultures!
River: I bet you know more Bob Marley songs than you think you do!
This Bob Marley post is just for me, my countryman! I wonder which album you were listening to? I suspect if it was Exodus, or Natty Dread, you would not have been lukewarm. Bob is the soundtrack of my life, so thank you for this visit with all the painted tributes paid to him. Yeah, try the Natty Dread album, see what you think.
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