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Reggae Fest Celebration of peace and music at Nelson Ledges
By JOHN BENSON
For nearly two decades, Midwest Reggae Fest Promoter/Producer Patrick “Packy” Malley has been the biggest reggae supporter in Northeast Ohio with his annual celebration of Jamaican music. However, this year’s bill for the 19th annual Midwest Reggae Fest, which takes place Friday through Sunday at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, feels different, as though all of his hard work has paid off.
“We really have some legendary performers playing this year,” said Cleveland-area resident Malley. “We have The Skatalites, who started the whole music of reggae back in the day. Bob Marley used to play with those guys when he was just starting out. And the guy who won the first reggae Grammy is Michael Rose, and he’s from the famous Black Uhuru, which won the first Reggae Grammy back in 1984. We also have Third World on the bill this year, and they’re celebrating their 35th year as a band. They’re huge all over the world. Personally, I like them because it’s a very jazz kind of reggae with a full horn section and very accomplished musicians. These guys have been around since the very beginning.”
The three-day affair also includes contemporary reggae acts Luciano and Pato Banton, as well as Cleveland’s Carlos Jones & The P.L.U.S. Band and Jah Messenger. One outfit that stands out —for obvious reasons — is Dread Zeppelin, which conjures up and mashes together musical spirits from yesteryear.
“For fun, we threw in Dread Zeppelin this year,” Malley said. “They’re a great reggae band that I thought would add a little spice covering Led Zeppelin songs with their Elvis lead singer. They’re not necessarily a comedy act, but they’re funny to watch. And they’re fantastic musicians. So it’s Zeppelin covers, but it’s all reggae style. These guys have been doing this for 20-some years.”
That’s just about as long as Malley has been staging his Midwest Reggae Fest, which four years ago went from a one-day show to a three-day music and camping weekend affair at Nelson Ledges. Attendance has increased over that time to roughly 3,000 diehard fans, which Malley said actually makes this event one of the premiere reggae festivals in the nation.
For those who have never attended the Midwest Reggae Fest, Malley stresses the weekend is about peace and nature, and not any rasta-drug stereotypes.
“It’s way more laid-back than most people probably think it is, and it’s a very family-friendly event,” Malley said. “There’s a lot of grandparents at it and of course a lot of college kids who attend. Even the security staff at Nelson Ledges all talk about how it’s the most polite weekend of the summer, and there’s never been a fight in 19 years. It’s just a very courteous crowd, and they love it. So as far as that part goes, it’s a very safe and responsible audience, but that’s the kind of people the music attracts — people who are looking to have a mellow, good time.”