Nicky Blumenfeld It was really surprising to discover that coming to perform in South Africa for the first time is not particularly significant for Burning Spear. He says: “It feels good, as good as if I were going to Australia or Japan or Europe, or anywhere else in the world … it’s the same feelings … to do what I have to do for the people by presenting the music to the people.”
Perhaps it was arrogant to imagine that the prospect would be especially meaningful for this “Jamaican African”. After all, this is Winston Rodney, better known as Burning Spear a musician whose work has always had a deeply profound social message and who was a source of spiritual strength to many South Africans throughout the struggle.
Burning Spear is also one of the greatest exponents of the teachings of Marcus Garvey, the revolutionary leader who spread a philosophy of black consciousness, preaching self-determination and self-reliance, and believing that “Africa is for Africans, those abroad and those at home”.
Many have cited Garvey’s prophecy of an African King, embodied by Ras Tafari (the given name of the Emperor Haille Selassie I), as the seed for the Jamaican Rastafarian religion.
Like Marcus Garvey and later Bob Marley Winston Rodney was born in St Ann’s Bay, on the north coast of Jamaica. He is also widely acknowledged as a visionary and a musical prophet, with a profound cultural and spiritual focus. In fact, his name comes from the African freedom fighter and Kenya’s first head of state, Jomo Kenyatta, who was also referred to as Burning Spear.
Spear’s career began in 1969 when he “ran into Bob Marley” in the hills of their hometown. When he expressed his desire to be involved in the music industry, Marley suggested he approach Studio One. Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, the founder of this legendary Jamaican studio and record label, had pioneered the new sound with original recordings of The Wailers.
“Since that time the Spear been burnin …” because after his first release, Poor Deep, Spear soon recorded a collection of songs that became his first two, classic and timeless albums Burning Spear and Rocking Time.
Spear has released 35 albums and after being nominated eight times for a Grammy Award, his latest offering, Calling Rastafari, won the 2000 Grammy for the Best Reggae album.
“Nothing ever happened before the time was right, and this year the time was right,” he says.
His honesty is appreciated and his integrity undisputed. He is essentially a man “from up in the hills”, with a simple, unadorned depth. He draws inspiration from his personal thoughts, his daily living and life’s experiences. However, he also receives his impulse from the thoughts of those that support his work. This is extended to his performances, where there is a definite two-way interaction. Unlike in the structured studio environment, the live performer is “more open, more loose” and, therefore, more able to respond to the audience.
“I feel strong, I feel sure, I feel firm … I’m pleased about my performance.”
However, don’t expect flashy showmanship from a Spear concert. His shows are profound. They can be described as memorable and meaningful actually more like pure prayer! With As It Is, the opening song on his award-winning release, Spear reflects on his meeting with Marley in the hills and his years of struggle in the music industry. The chorus line chants: “Did someone remember Burning Spear?”
Let’s hope that through these shows he’ll hear the thoughts and strengthen in the knowledge that some here could never forget him.
Home to My Roots with Burning Spear, Culture and The Wailers will be performing at the Big Arena, Century City, on December 15, the MTN Sundome in Johannesburg on December 16 and the Absa Stadium in Durban on December 17. Tickets are available at Ticketweb