As Junior Marvin tells it, February 14th, 1977 is a day that he will never forget. It was this day which saw his introduction into the internationally renowned Bob Marley & The Wailers, by becoming the band's lead guitarist. However, Junior Marvin's musical career does not begin here, but rather he already had numerous years of musical experience under his belt. It is a career still blossoming, yet one filled with events and people that are legendary in stature.

On May 3rd, 1947, Donald Hanson Marvin Kerr Richards, Jr. was born in Kingston, Jamaica. At the age of two years old, Junior was already playing piano and taking in the musical sounds of church and Classical musics. Junior and his family moved to London at the age of nine and from this time on, Junior also showed interest in acting by appearing in numerous plays and other mediums. The accomplished list of acting includes a South African play of "King Kong" at the age of 12, the "First Negro Arts Festival" in Senegal, Africa at only 16 with the legendary composer/bandleader Duke Ellington, UK television series including "The Saint" with Roger Moore and "Danger Man" with Patrick McGoohan, and even an appearance in The Beatles' movie "Help!" from 1965, among many others.

Music was still always close to his heart and he formed his first band, Blue-Ace-Unit, at 17, which also featured Fuzzy Samuels, later of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame. Junior also had stays with bands like Herbie Goins and the Nightimers and White Rabbit with Linda Lewis. Albert King was the musical inspiration that drove Junior to follow the blues and Junior's first teacher of the blues was none other than T-Bone Walker (composer of such standards as "Stormy Monday Blues" among countless others). Junior was given the job by Robin Hemmingway. In 1972, he also spent time in the studio with Ike and Tina Turner as well as performing three live shows on the East coast with Billy Preston.

Junior formed his second band, Hanson, in 1973 and they were subsequently signed to Manticore Records (a division of Atlantic Records and a label created by Emerson, Lake & Palmer), which happened to be Junior's very first record contract. Mario Medious was the person responsible for giving Junior this Manticore contract. Hanson released two albums "Now Hear This" in 1973 and the 1974 "Magic Dragon," both featuring Junior using the name Junior Hanson. Hanson allowed Junior to showcase his extraordinary songwriting, lead guitar, and lead vocal abilities and combined blues and rock in much the same style as Jimi Hendrix and Cream, yet with helpings of funk and soul mixed into the sound. Band members included Brother James on percussion, (ex-Alvin Lee) Neil Murray on Bass (ex-Black Sabbath), Clive Chaman (ex-Jeff Beck), Glen Le Fleur on drums (ex-Gonzales), Conrad Isidore (ex-Joe Cocker), and Jean Roussell on keys (ex-Cat Stevens). Sadly, these timepieces are only available on vinyl via the secondary market. Hanson disbanded in 1975 owing to personal problems but this left Junior open to continue other musical pursuits, especially reggae music. After Hanson, Junior did not go straight into reggae music, however, but played with Traffic members Chris Wood and Steve Winwood between 1974 and 1977. He also played the session scene in the US and UK with Rebop (African percussion star from Traffic), Speedy Aquay, percussionist with Georgi Fame and the Blue Flames, Eddie Quanso (African Trumpet Player), Larry Young (famous organ player from New Jersey), and Remi Kabacica (African Drummer from Fela Ramson Kuti Band).

Junior was introduced to reggae music by his parents, his uncle Albert, and owner of Island Records Chris Blackwell. In 1976, Junior, now using another off-shoot of his name, this time as Junior Kerr, played on Toots & The Maytals' reggae classic, "Reggae Got Soul" for Island Records. The blending of Toots' reggae with soul was a perfect fit for Junior. This session for Chris Blackwell's Island Records was not Junior's first for Blackwell because in the early 1970s he had done work with some former members of Steve Winwood's Traffic band. In 1977, Stevie Wonder (Junior's "keyboard and vocal hero") asked Junior to play with him, while at the same time, Chris Blackwell introduced Junior to Bob Marley and on February 14th after a short jam session with Bob and The Wailers, Junior decided to become a full fledged member of The Wailers, as the lead guitarist.

This began a period in Junior's musical career that gained him the most acclaim and brought his guitar playing and name to an international audience. In early 1977, Bob Marley & The Wailers, featuring Junior Marvin, released "Exodus" on Island Records and began a worldwide tour, which was sadly cut short as a result of cancer being detected in Bob Marley. In 1999, "Time" magazine named "Exodus" as the album of the century, giving further proof that this music is still as vital today as it ever was. "Kaya" was released in 1978 and allowed Junior to experiment with different guitar playing styles, such as Nigerian high-life effects on "Could You Be Loved," a song which he co-wrote but to this day has never been given official credit for doing so. Out of the vast material that Junior worked on with Bob and The Wailers, his all-time favorite songs include "War," "Waiting in Vain," "Heathen," and "Sun is Shining." Junior's favorite live performance with The Wailers took place in June of 1977 at The Rainbow Theatre in London, England, which was captured on the readily available Bob Marley & The Wailers "Live" video.

Junior's presence in the band allowed Bob Marley to showcase his spiritual dance moves while Junior handled the lead guitar role. 1979's "Survival" and 1980's "Uprising" further demonstrated Junior's virtuoso talents and many proclaimed Bob Marley & The Wailers as the finest group in all of reggae music. Also in 1980, The Wailers featuring Junior Marvin, got the chance to branch out and work with other reggae legends, such as Burning Spear on his "Hail H.I.M." release. Sadly, May 11, 1981 saw the death of Bob Marley but this did not put an end to The Wailers' train.

The Wailers Band kept on going at the request of Bob's own words, now headed by Junior Marvin on lead vocals, songwriter and of course lead guitar. It took quite some time to release their first album, but with Junior in the band they released four albums in total, beginning with "I.D." in 1989, "Majestic Warriors" in 1991, "Jah Message" in 1994 and 1997's "My Friends," a collection of live material recorded live at concerts from 1995-1997. During the 1980s and '90s, The Wailers Band also performed with several other reggae acts including Alpha Blondy, Joe Higgs, Rita Marley, and The Meditations. In 1995, Junior had the opportunity to work on Bunny Wailer's "Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary," which was awarded a Grammy for best reggae album.

In 1997, Junior left The Wailers Band once and for all and moved to Brazil to pursue a solo career. Asked whether he still considers himself a Wailer, Junior comments, "Always, 'You can't run away from yourself!'" referring to the Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Running Away" song. While in Brazil, Junior studied Brazilian music and shared his talents with some of the local reggae bands there, but eventually decided to move away from Brazil and form "Junior Marvin & The Roots, Rock, Blues & Dance" -- the newest incarnation in an already distinguished career.

Now over 17 years in the making, Junior is set to release "Burnin' Love" and he could not be any happier. Junior humbly declares about his career and talents, "I give thanks, I am an instrument of God."

Junior lists his other inspirations and influences as organist Jimmy Smith, the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, bluesman Albert King, the "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Marley; but it is clear to see that whether Junior is acting or singing or writing, he gives his heart and soul into everything he does and is an inspiration and influence in and of himself. As for what the future holds for him, Junior states, "To serve God and be happy with my family, loved one's and especially my sweetheart Nu-Nu."