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Jamaican singer Ziggy Marley will perform for the debut of the Del Mar Fairgrounds' brand-new music venue, The Sound. Courtesy photo
Reggae singer Ziggy Marley. Courtesy photo
ColumnsWaterspot

Is reggae surf music?

It’s been over 18 years since Michael Bream, Bruce Logan and I drove to the Hollywood Hills where I would interview Ziggy Marley. Bream is a longtime surfer/skateboarder and former owner of Gravity Skateboards.

While known mostly as a skateboarder (he is the first world champion), Bruce Logan’s first love is surfing. Bruce and his siblings — Brian, Brad and Robin — grew up surfing and skateboarding so well that they are forever known as “the First Family of Skateboarding.”

Ziggy greeted us upon our arrival at his studio and invited us in to watch and listen to his band rehearse. While I had never been a dedicated reggae fan, the sound reminded me of cool ocean rhythms, something that seems obvious when considering Ziggy grew up hearing his famous father play music accompanied by the sounds of the gently rolling surf in Jamaica. One song in particular, “Love Is My Religion,” set my mind surfing.

The “Love Is My Religion” album dropped in 2006, and in 2007 took best reggae album at the 49th Grammy Awards. I still have the car I drove that day. It contains a CD player and “Love Is My Religion” remains high in my play list when I’m jammin’ to the beach.

Once Ziggy stepped off the stage, Bream and Logan gave him a new Gravity downhill skateboard. Offering thanks to the board’s presenters, Ziggy immediately cruised down a little hill and did a turn, before walking to the top, beaming and repeating the process.

We then settled into the reason for our visit, my interview. After the obligatory questions about growing up with a musical legend, I asked Ziggy about skateboarding. “I used to do it, and I chipped me tooth,” he said, smiling to show the yet unrepaired enamel. From there it was a short jump to questions about surfing.

Ziggy had surfed in Hawaii a few times but felt more comfortable riding a bodyboard. Like all of us who venture into the ocean, he quickly found himself out of his depth. “I took off on a wave and it held me down for such a long time, I wasn’t sure if I was coming back up,” he said with a laugh.

This had Michael, Bruce and me nodding in agreement, since, like every surfer, we had all been pushed past our limits before. And, like every surfer, Ziggy returned to the ocean and found subsequent waves easier to deal with. He spoke of the flow of the ocean and the inspiration it brings to his music.

I never did meet Bob Marley but through songs like “Jammin’” I know that he too was inspired by a surf beat. After listening for more hours than I can count, I can tell you that reggae is every bit as much surf music as “Surfin’ U.S.A.”

One thing Ziggy said that I never forgot was regarding his faith. He gave a brief explanation of what he believed before adding, “But we don’t all have to believe that for us all to get along.” Love is my religion. Who can argue with that?

And so, we bonded over music, faith and waves, be they of the sound or the ocean variety.

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