Survival Tour

Lore & Background

The concept behind *Survival* emerged from a desire to address political urgency. Marley felt that his previous album, *Kaya*, had sidetracked the urgent message he wished to convey, leading critics to speculate on this shift toward a more militant tone. Originally titled *Black Survival*, the name was shortened to prevent misinterpretations of the theme. The musical content reflected Pan-African solidarity, most explicitly in "Africa Unite." The tour's spirit extended beyond standard concerts; it carried the weight of political statements, particularly regarding apartheid. In South Africa, where the album faced partial censorship due to the regime, the music itself became an act of defiance. The inclusion of the song "Zimbabwe" transformed these performances into historical markers, culminating in the actual performance at Zimbabwe's Independence Celebration in 1980.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of this era is defined by the specific political and cultural milestones Marley pursued. The band delivered tracks that underscored the urgency of African unity, moving away from the relaxed vibes of *Kaya*. A pivotal moment occurred with "Zimbabwe," a hymn dedicated to white-dominated Rhodesia at the time. This song was not merely a studio recording but became a centerpiece for real-world celebration when performed at Zimbabwe's Independence Celebration in 1980. The tour and album also navigated censorship; *Survival* was partially censored in South Africa because of their apartheid regime, highlighting the risks and realities of performing such politically charged material. The visual identity of this period was equally potent, with the front cover depicting 48 African flags and one Oceanian flag, symbolizing a broad continental solidarity that the tour sought to embody.

Reader's Guide

For those studying this era, the focus is on the release year of 1979 and the specific tracklist that defined the *Survival* album. Key tracks include "Africa Unite," where Marley proclaims Pan-African solidarity, and "Zimbabwe." The personnel list for these recordings includes Bob Marley on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, with Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass and Carlton Barrett on drums. Specialized drummers like Carlton "Santa" Davis played on "Africa Unite," while Mikey "Boo" Richards handled drums on "Wake Up And Live." The production team featured Bob Marley & The Wailers alongside Alex Sadkin, with mastering by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in NYC. The tour's visual legacy is preserved in the cover art and accompanying posters that featured flags of sovereign states like Cape Verde and Libya Jamahiriya, as well as non-sovereign regions like Western Sahara.

Did You Know?

• The album was originally titled 'Black Survival' but was shortened to prevent misinterpretations of the theme.
• The song 'Zimbabwe' was performed at Zimbabwe's Independence Celebration in 1980, shortly after the official declaration of independence.
• The front cover depicts 49 flags, including the flag of Papua New Guinea, with Zimbabwe represented by two political party flags (ZANU and ZAPU) rather than a national flag.
• South Africa partially censored the album due to their apartheid regime.
• Two non-sovereign regions featured on the tour poster were Réunion and Western Sahara.