As Black History Month begins, we take a look at some of the most influential black artists to have taken to the stage in Brighton.
Jimi Hendrix – December 2, 1967, Brighton Dome
Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the greatest instrumentalists in the history of rock music.
Taking to the stage as part of the trio that made up The Jimi Hendrix Experience, a review in the Brighton Gazette described how Hendrix “strolled on to the stage playing the guitar with one hand only. He played it with his teeth, on the floor and behind his back”.
He died in 1970 at the age of 27.
Stormzy – May 21, 2016 Brighton Dome
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, aka Stormzy, was still to release an album when he took to the stage at Brighton Dome.
The London-born grime artist built a huge online following through his charismatic freestyles and support from big names in the grime scene.
His debut album Gang Signs And Prayer was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.
Stormzy made history in 2019 by becoming the first black British solo artist to headline The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
Nina Simone – May 10, 1990 Brighton Dome
Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, performed in Brighton 20 years ago.
Simone was a musical chameleon, transitioning easily from genre to genre, blending jazz, folk and gospel.
Alongside her legacy as a singer-songwriter, Simone was a hugely influential figure during the civil rights era.
The American artist performed during Martin Luther King’s famous march from Selma to Montgomery in the US state of Alabama.
Bob Marley – July 9, 1980, Brighton Centre
Bob Marley and The Wailers brought the Uprising Tour to Brighton in the summer of 1980. For the entry price of just £5, lucky fans were treated to a setlist including Redemption Song and No, Woman No Cry.
Bob Marley died in 1981 at the age of 36 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and continues to influences artists across all musical genres.
Rihanna – 17 December 17, 2007, Brighton Centre
Rihanna played Brighton Centre part of her first major UK arena tour. The Good Girl Gone Bad tour came straight off the back of the success of her single Umbrella, which stayed at the top of the singles chart for ten weeks.
She has gone on to break endless records, including The Beatles’ record for the total number of combined weeks at number one in the US.
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