Bob's I-Three

BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Observer staff reporter

Friday, February 03, 2012

The I-Three — Rita Marley, Marcia Griffith and Judy Mowatt — achieved fame providing rich harmonies for Bob Marley from 1974 until his death seven years later.

Griffiths spoke to Splash about working with the reggae icon.

"It was like a shepherd leading his sheep. The moments were unforgettable because at that time I think I knew who that man was — that he was a prophet truly sent," Griffiths said.

She was happy to be part of the seven-year experience.

"I did everything at that time to live the moment to the fullest."

She has fond memories of touring with Marley, but one standout took place in Zimbabwe in 1980 when they were performing as part of that country's independence celebrations.

"While we were on stage with him teargas was used and no one knew what was happening. There was a stampede and we didn't know if it was another war, everyone was running for their lives," Griffiths recalled.

She said children got trampled, and the I-Three fled the stage.

"It was not until we reached safety that we all started worrying about Bob and what happened to him," she said.

She later discovered he had not left the stage, but stood his ground with son Ziggy in his arms "ready to go down with his people".

After calm was restored, Marley continued his performance.

Laughing, Griffiths said he later teased them with the comment, "Now we know who are the real revolutionaries."

Since Marley's death, Griffiths continues to record hit songs tour as a solo performer. Her career started in the 1960s at Studio One where she did songs like Mark My Words and Feel Like Jumping.

While with the I-Three, she had hits including Dreamland and Stepping Outa

Babylon. In the 1980s, Griffiths had a massive hit with Electric Boogie, and continued to ride the charts in the 1990s with I Shall Sing.

Fellow I-Three Judy Mowatt describes working with Bob like "attending an institution of higher learning where discipline was a priority".She continues, "You would rehearse when there was no show, and before every studio session we would practice until the vocals and music became one — in total harmony like an excellent marriage. He was driven to perfection, and that was apart of the secret to his success."

Since Bob's passing she says she has been able to do some of the things she had placed on the back burner while touring with him. "For example I had written a number of songs and recorded them, I did some touring overseas, but most importantly I have responded to the call of God, and I am living for Jesus Christ and I am very happy."

Like her I-Three sisters, Mowatt started her career in the 1960s. She HAS recorded several well-received albums including Black Woman in 1980.

Rita Marley is the matriarch of the Marley family and has overseen her husband's legacy into a multi-million-dollar industry.

After the I-Three, she recorded a few albums including Harambe, which enjoyed some success in the United Kingdom.

In 1986, she converted the Marley family's Hope Road home into the Bob Marley

Museum. She is also founder and chairperson of the Robert Marley Foundation, Bob Marley Trust, and the Bob Marley Group of Companies. She founded the Rita Marley Foundation in 2000.

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Bob's I-Three