Aswad: Set to shine for years to come

VIBE Magazine once said that Aswad, one of Britain’s best-loved reggae bands, “seems set to shine for years to come.” That was in 1995.

The fact that today some 20 years on, they are still touring and entertaining crowds everywhere they go, proves they were right. But more incredibly, that statement was made 20 years after the band had first hit the music world in 1975, and they had already become household names.

Tony (Gad) Robinson and Angus ‘Drummie Zeb’ Gaye are founder members of the chart topping Aswad. And for nearly 40 years they have been traveling the world, performing and recording with names such as Bob Marley, Sting, the Wailers, Burning Spear, Maxi Priest, and Shabba Ranks, to name but a few.

Now they are coming to play Marbella, at Joys Live on April 11, and they´re really looking forward to it. Tony said: “We love Spain, that’s where all the good football teams are!”

I asked Tony, “Who would be the artist you most enjoyed working with in your career?” He replied, “I’ve been so lucky to play with so many great talents, it’s hard to choose. But I guess performing with Sting live in New York in ‘98 has to be one of the biggies. He was great, one of my idols!”

I then asked, “Well if Sting was the most memorable gig you have done, what was the biggest?” He answered quickly, “Wembley of course! The Nelson Mandela Concert in Wembley football stadium. I have never seen so many people, so many great bands, it was huge.”

Tony was chuckling as all the memories started flooding back. “But that wasn’t my favourite gig… Hammersmith Odeon was, when we hit the number one spot back in the ‘80s, that’s when we knew we had made it!”

I asked, “With all the great memories and experiences over the years, what would be your biggest regret?” He thought for a moment and said: “Turning down Bob Marley I guess! Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you about it.”

Watch the Euro Weekly News website for the full interview, coming soon, as Tony and Aswad play Marbella, and he tells us about growing up an Arsenal fan, turning down Bob Marley, the future of the band and much more.