(Jamaica Gleaner) It is no secret that broadcaster, writer and historian, Roger Steffens, is the owner of a massive reggae archive, which houses the largest collection of Bob Marley artefacts in the world. Twenty-three years ago, the Institute of Jamaica made an offer to buy it, and several offers have been placed on the table since for the treasured memorabilia, but they all came to nought, until Joe Bogdanovich entered the chat.
The reggae world has been hearing about negotiations between the Downsound Entertainment and Reggae Sumfest boss, for a few years, with many thinking that it was already finalised. However, a Variety magazine exclusive on Wednesday about the deal started creating a buzz all over again. Steffens, in an interview shares some of the details of the just concluded deal with The Sunday Gleaner.
1. When was the deal finalised and how soon will the catalogue start its historic journey to Jamaica?
The deal was finalised mid-July. Because we haven’t yet secured the land on which to build the museum, it’s hard to estimate the ultimate return to Jamaica of all these varied materials. Probably three years or more. We need to sort and store hundreds of thousands of items, clippings, books, records, posters, T-shirts, paintings, and much much more.
2. Are you willing to disclose the figure that was settled on? Or at least a ballpark figure?
All I’m free to say is that I haven’t raised the price since the Institute of Jamaica first offered to buy it in 2001. In that time, the value of the US dollar has gone down appreciably, but I’ve kept the price low, and far less than its true value, as long as the purchaser promised to bring it to Jamaica for the benefit of its people. Joe Bogdanovich has proved to be that person. After California state and Federal taxes, assorted fees, I will not be a multi-millionaire, but I will be financially secure for the remainder of my life. I’m 82 now, and want to live at least long enough to open the doors to the museum.
3. Do you anticipate having some kind of separation anxiety when the iconic Roger Steffens Archive is no longer in your possession?
Well, I’ll be around it until the doors open as the curator emeritus, so the minute I want to hear that rare Roy Shirley/Alton Ellis duet, and I can’t just pop in a cassette, I may have some pangs. But I truly can’t answer that question … yet.
4. Was the Marley family interested in purchasing “the largest and most comprehensive collection of Marley artefacts in the world”?
They made a bid at the same time that Michael Lee-Chin looked like he was going to buy it, but in the long run nothing ever came of it.
5. Why do you think Joe is the best person to care for the archive?
I have known Joe for over 30 years, first as a fan of my Reggae Beat radio show here in LA, then as a record producer who would bring his artistes by to guest on my TV show, LA Reggae … then back in 2018 when he learned that the archives were still for sale, and offered to buy them and build a home for them in Yard. He is deeply devoted to helping his adopted country, loves and truly overstands the value of reggae’s contribution to the world, and wants Jamaica to know how important its culture has become all around the globe. We will together make sure that Jamaicans run the museum.
6. When you started, was it your intention to own the largest collection of Marley artefacts in the world?
No. I have been a public speaker all my life, as well as a writer and broadcaster, so whenever a subject interests me, I keep a file on it, in case someday I’ll write or lecture about it. When I find something that excites me, I love to share it with all my friends. Thus, with reggae and Bob Marley in particular. Since 1973 I began to save everything I ever came across about Marley, reggae, Rasta, Ethiopia, Emperor Selassie, etc. I had no idea it would continue to fill each home we’ve had since 1975, forcing us to move three times to house the collection. Now there’s no room left, so the timing of the sale is perfect. I had a massive 6,000 piece exhibition at the Queen Mary (ship), in Long Beach, California in 2001, and that’s been in storage, with almost all the most valuable pieces, ever since. And the collection has tripled in size since then.
7. What fascinates you most about Bob Marley?
The fact that Bob transcends all races and ages and religions. The proof of that is the BBC’s Millennium coverage around Earth’s 24 time zones, began each hour in a different country with people singing One Love. I was interviewed not long ago by Phil Koeghan, the producer of The Amazing Race. He said he had been to 130 countries and in every one of them, no matter how remote, he found evidence of Bob Marley. He is truly the greatest musician of the 20th century and a sure bet for sainthood in the 21st.
