James Norton To Play Chris Blackwell in Forthcoming Bob Marley Biopic
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Bob Marley: One Love is a forthcoming movie based on the life of the legendary reggae singer and songwriter.
Distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley, alongside Lashana Lynch as Bob's wife Rita and James Norton as Chris Blackwell.
Born in 1985, James Norton is an English actor mostly known for roles in the popular television series Happy Valley and Grantchester.
Born in 1937, Chris Blackwell is the founder of Island Records, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and is credited with being responsible for turning the world on to reggae music. Without a signed contract, he advanced money to Bob Marley And The Wailers and produced their first Island album Catch A Fire in 1973. They continued to work together until Marley's death in 1981.
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Norton and Ben-Adir filming just outside Marley's Chelsea House on Oakley Street, London
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Chris Blackwell (James Norton) and Bob Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) recording at Island studios
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Norton and Ben-Adir in Jamaica
Blackwell also played a pivotal role in the development of Robert Palmer's career. He signed The Alan Bown Set to his label in 1970 really because he wanted to sign the singer. He waited patiently through Vinegar Joe and encouraged Palmer to go solo when the band broke up in 1974, allowing him to record his debut effort in the US with all the musicians he wanted. The result was Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley.
Palmer released nine albums for Island Records. He left the label shortly before Blackwell sold it to Polygram in 1989.
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Chris Blackwell with Bob Marley (left) and Robert Palmer (right)
The film Bob Marley: One Love is scheduled to be released in the US on February 14, 2024.
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Movie premiere at the Carib 5 Theatre in Kingston, Jamaica (January 23, 2024)
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James Norton and Chris Blackwell attending the movie premiere (January 23, 2024)