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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE LIFE, LEGACY OF REGGAE LEGEND ASRAT AEMRO SELLASSIE
WHEREAS, Dallol built its profile in professional music by playing venues across across the country and landed its big break when Bob Marley's widow, Rita Marley, invited the band to to play Jamaica on the first anniversary of Bob Marley's death; and
WHEREAS, Dallol linked with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers; and
WHEREAS, as the backing band for Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, played on its two most important records--"Conscious Party" in 1988 and "One Bright Day" in 1989, both which won Grammys for best reggae album; and
WHEREAS, Asrat Sellassie was percussionist on both projects, playing bongos, conga, tambourine, cabassa, wood block, keyboards and even adding some background vocals; and
WHEREAS, "Conscious Party" went certified platinum and "One Day" went gold; and
WHEREAS, during the same period, the success of both albums allowed Dallol to tour the world with the Melody Makers; and
WHEREAS, also during the same time, Dallol's band members founded the Wild Hare reggae nightclub across from Wrigley Field in 1986; and
WHEREAS, the Wild Hare provided a venue for new bands to gain visibility and hosted performances by the likes of Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals and Shabba Ranks; and
WHEREAS, as backing band for Ziggy Marley, Dallol shared stadiums with Bruce Springsteen, Guns N Roses and INXS while appearing in all parts of Europe, the United States, Canada, Africa and Australia; and
WHEREAS, Asrat Sellassie was known for maintaining a claim and reserved presence and demeanor while managing world tours, a thriving club and family; and
WHEREAS, he was also known as a graceful keyboardist; and
WHEREAS, Asrat Sellassie also featured on vocals and drums/percussion with his other band Gizzae; and
WHEREAS, while primarily staying with her mother in Madison, Wis., Asrat Sellassie's daughter Emayu Edari-Sellasie grew up in the reggae commun...
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