A musical about reggae icon Bob Marley will be staged in London's West End and though the production has no title or a storyline as yet, the producers expect it to open by early 2006. The Marley musical will be one of a number of successful pop-based musicals on the West End including Mamma Mia, based on the music of Abba, the Queen-inspired We Will Rock You and Tonight's the Night based on the life and music of Rod Stewart. Marley's widow Rita and Chris Blackwell of Island Records which first signed Marley in 1971, signed the deal with American entertainment giant Clear Channel for what is set to be the first reggae musical on the big stage. According to reports in the British newspapers, the agreement gives access to some of the singer's greatest hits, including I Shot The Sheriff, No Woman, No Cry, Exodus and Get Up, Stand Up. David Ian, head of Clear Channel's theatrical division said the translation of reggae from the ghettoes of Kingston where Marley grew up to a central London theatre would be successful and respectful of his legacy. "As far as I'm aware there has not been a reggae musical, despite it being such a popular form of music," Mr Ian said. Iconic status "Marley is an icon around the world and his lyrics and ideas lend themselves to a musical. It is very early days but I don't anticipate it being biographical." He also said the script would be approved by the Marley family. Dennis Morris, who knew Marley at the height of his creative powers in the mid-Seventies and has written a biography, A Rebel Life, told the Independent newspaper, "I'm not sure what Bob would make of it. He would probably like it if he could get involved but he would only be happy if it focused on his ideas. "He touched a lot of hearts and changed a lot of minds. But it depends on the aspect of his life they concentrate on - are we going to get Bob the great lover or Bob the ideologue?" Last week, Marley's music was celebrated by the British music industry when he was made an honorary member of the UK Music Hall of Fame. Madonna, Elvis Presley, U2 and the Beatles were also honoured at the glitzy ceremony in London. SOURCE: BBCCARIBBEAN.COM