An influential, but understated member of Bob Marley’s inner circle, Neville Garrick designed some of the reggae king’s most riveting album covers. He died on November 14 from cancer in Los Angeles at age 73.
Garrick, a graduate of UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) joined the Marley camp in 1974. His first album jacket for the singer-songwriter was ‘Rastaman Vibration’, released in 1976 by Island Records.
Marley and Island Records boss Chris Blackwell were so taken with Garrick’s creativity that they gave him free rein to design follow-up jackets for ‘Babylon by Bus’, ‘Exodus’, ‘Kaya’ and ‘Survival’, albums that rank among Marley’s finest work.
The lanky Garrick, who was from Kingston, was introduced to Marley by Alan “Skill” Cole, arguably Jamaica’s finest soccer player and the singer’s close friend. Cole and Garrick were schoolmates at Kingston College during the early 1960s.
Cole last saw Garrick in March when he was in Kingston, acting as consultant for ‘Bob Marley: One Love’, the Marley biopic produced by Paramount Pictures.
“We had a good chat, talk ‘bout old times. Neville Garrick was a great bredrin, know him stuff, very creative. He will be missed,” said Cole.
In addition to his work with Marley, Garrick designed album covers for Peter Tosh (‘Wanted Dread And Alive’), Burning Spear (‘Man in The Hills’), Steel Pulse (‘Earth Crisis’) and Bunny Wailer’s ‘Blackheart Man’.
Garrick was appointed first president of the Bob Marley Foundation, shortly after his death from cancer at age 36 in May, 1981. He was awarded the Order of Distinction, Jamaica’s sixth-highest award, in October.
Neville Garrick by is survived by three children, three grandchildren and a brother.
Written By Howard Campbell