Summary

TAPE_NUMBER: EN9933 IN_TIME: 10:29:30 LENGTH: 02:30 SOURCES: APTN RESTRICTIONS: music/ performance rights must be cleared/ No Access Internet FEED: SCRIPT: xfa REGGAE LEGENDS ROCK NYON Story: Gladiators Location: Nyon, Switzerland Date: July '99 Reggae music, that distinctive and massively popular musical genre created in Jamaica, has thrown up many legendary names. But before the world had even heard of BOB MARLEY or PETER TOSH , there was ALBERT GRIFFITHS. Back in 1966 Griffiths was a young would be singer in Kingston, Jamaica releasing his first recording under the name AL & THE ETHIOPIANS. The streets of the city were just waking up to the newly created and highly distinctive beats that would become reggae and Griffiths was at the forefront of this new musical revolution. Griffiths went back into the studio with a new group of musicians, including DAVID WEBBER and ERROL GRANDISON, recorded the classic THE TRAIN IS COMING BACK, and The Gladiators were born. Their biggest hit came with Hello Carol in 1968. In between releases Albert Griffiths established himself as a guitarist at Studio One and ran a music school at Olympic Way in Kingston. Throughout the seventies they continued to release albums, mirroring Bob Marley in terms of output and the concerns addressed in their songs. Bob Marley's death in 1981 was a disaster for reggae as record companies pulled out of the market. Very soon The Gladiators, Burning Spear and The Mighty Diamonds all found themselves without a record company. But the Gladiators kept going. In 1985 they released Meanheat and then in 1998 they released Alive and Fighting, a live album. More than 30 years since they first got together, The Gladiators are still going strong with Griffiths still at the helm. The group have a new album coming out in the spring and they recently turned up for a blistering performance at the Paleo Festival, a celebration of music from around the world held each year in Nyon, Switzerland. When he finishes the Summer festival circuit, Griffiths is returning to Jamaica where he is going to set up a music school to help new young talent develop and keep the reggae vibe going. A firm believer in the powers of Jah, Griffiths also uses his music to send a message of empowerment and love to his listeners and where possible, to discourage people from using drugs. SHOTLIST: ALBERT GRIFFITHS, (LEAD SINGER OF THE GLADIATORS) WELCOMING AUDIENCE AT THE PALEO MUSIC FESTIVAL ; C.A. AUDIENCE ; C.A. DRUMS ; PERFORMANCE "SO FINE" ; SOT ALBERT GRIFFITHS, LEAD SINGER OF THE GLADIATORS ; PERFORMANCE ; C.A. AUDIENCE ; SOT ALBERT GRIFFITHS ; PERFORMANCE "SO FINE" ; C.A. DRUMMER ; C.A. AUDIENCE ; END PERFORMANCE.?