Reggae maven gives it over
After Matisyahu, Roger Steffens is probably the world’s most famous white Bob Marley expert from Brooklyn. Gearing up for an extensive tour of Israel beginning Thursday, Steffens’ multimedia Bob Marley lectures are so comprehensive that Marley’s mother Cedella once thanked Steffens for teaching her so many new things about her son.
Steffens began collecting artifacts over 30 years ago for what he calls “Roger Steffens’ Reggae Archives.” Today, the archives fill six rooms in his home and contain the world’s largest collection of Bob Marley video, memorabilia, interviews and live concert recordings. Despite many tempting offers from collectors, Steffens and the Jamaican government have begun planning a museum that will some day house the collection in Kingston.