Reggae Sunsplash Festival

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Lore & Background

Before Reggae Sunsplash, Jamaican hotels typically closed during the summer season. The festival introduced the concept of combining music and travel to boost tourism, establishing a new summer tourist season that prompted other annual festivals across Jamaica and the Caribbean. As attendance grew, demand for accommodations surged, leading some attendees to camp on local beaches. In 1983, the Jamaica Tourist Board invited the German band Supermax as the opening act to promote Jamaica in Europe. From 1981, the festivals were filmed and recorded, with the first release being "Reggae Sunsplash '81: Tribute to Bob Marley" by Elektra Records. In 1987, a sound clash event was added, featuring finalists from a national sound system competition as a precursor to the main festival. For many years, Tommy Cowan emceed the event. The festival also introduced an "oldies night" featuring stars from past eras of Jamaican music.

In Their Own Story

In 1984, the festival expanded internationally with a one-day event at Selhurst Park in London, England. By 1985, the Reggae Sunsplash World Tour launched in the United States and Japan, subsequently touring extensively throughout North America, Europe, South America, and the Far East. The 1991 edition introduced a "Caribbean Night" featuring soca, followed by a "World Beat Night" in 1992. Despite opening global tourist markets and attracting millions of dollars in foreign exchange, the festival faced financial difficulties due to a lack of sponsorship or government support. In 1995, Radobar Holdings Ltd offered financial assistance for equity in Synergy Productions; when this failed, they announced Reggae Sunsplash International and staged a hostile takeover. The 1996 attempt without original owners was a financial disaster. A 1997 event was postponed to 1998 to celebrate Bob Marley's birth but incurred further losses. After a twelve-year absence from the British calendar, Andrew Pritchard secured rights in 1999, staging an anniversary event at Victoria Park in London.

Reader's Guide

The festival took place at various venues including Jarrett Park and the Bob Marley Center in Montego Bay, Ranny Williams Entertainment Center in Kingston, and Jamworld in Portmore. In 1983, the venue shifted to the Bob Marley Center for the June 28–July 2 dates. The 1995 event was held in Dover, St. Ann, while the 1996 festival moved to Chukka Cove, also in St. Ann. A revival attempt occurred on August 3–6, 2006, at Richmond Estate, Priory, St. Ann. Following a fourteen-year absence, the festival returned virtually on November 27–28, 2020. Performers for this virtual event included Tanya Stephens, Richie Spice, Capleton, Masicka, Dexta Dapps, Jesse Royal, Agent Sasco, and Romain Virgo. Founding directors John Wakeling and Tony Johnson have passed away; Don Green and Ronnie Burke remain as the two surviving founders. In August 2015, Burke was announced to receive the Order of Distinction for his contributions.

Did You Know?

• The first festival in June 1978 ran for seven days from dusk until dawn.
• In 1983, German band Supermax was invited as the opening act to promote tourism in Europe.
• Due to high attendance and a lack of hotel rooms during the summer, some attendees camped on local beaches.
• The festival introduced a "Caribbean Night" featuring soca in 1991 and a "World Beat Night" in 1992.
• Don Green and Ronnie Burke are the only two surviving founding directors of the original Synergy Productions.