It happened in Jamaica in 2002. It was followed by another in Miami the following year and one in Ethiopia last year.

Next week Friday, February 3, Bob Marley, the reggae legends birthday celebrated in grand concerts at the three venues mentioned above will be repeated at the Garden City of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Marley's 61st birthday programme organized by the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations will be celebrated through three major concerts and a symposium in Kumasi and Accra.

According to the organisers, the leading act in the concerts will be Bob's son, Damien Marley, whose song 'Welcome To Jam rock' is currently topping the charts in Europe and America. For once Ghana will? have a musician still on top of the charts performing here.

The concerts scheduled for the Kumasi Sports Stadium on February 3 and the International Trade Fair Centre La, Accra will feature top artistes and groups such as the Marley Family, Steel Pulse, Chaka Demus and Pliers, I Threes and Culture.

They will be supported by a local crop of musicians including Batman, Mzbel, Wutah, Reggae All-Star, Band all backed by the Megastar Band.

A fund-raising dinner will also be held on February 5, at the Golden Tulip Hotel at which all the stars will feature except Damien Marley who will be at the Grammys.

Lauryn Hill, a top musician married to Rohan Marley and who has performed at each of the concerts is likely to also perform if she follows her routine of appearing at birthday concerts.

The highlights of the celebration will be a symposium at the Alliance Francaise on Bob's birthday on February 6, at which talks on his works, vision and life will be given.