Everaldo Creary says he has been preparing all his life to play the role of Lee “Scratch” Perry in the movie “Bob Marley: One Love.” Like Perry, he fashions himself as the eccentric instrumentalist and vocalist from the group Nomaddz. The multi-talented Jamaican star known as Evvy says he auditioned several times for the movie, including for the lead role to play Bob Marley, spanning a year and a half.
Lee “Scratch” Perry played a pivotal role in shaping the Jamaica’s musical landscape, particularly through his collaboration with the Wailers. Perry’s musical partnership with Marley throughout 1970 and part of 1971 introduced the world to the reggae beat, creating a distinctive sound characterized by a slower, waxy beat and a rebel bass. His ability to teach and transform the Wailers’ sound was evident on early songs like “My Cup.”
Perry passed away on August 29, 2021, in Lucea, Jamaica and Evvy said before he died he had the chance to sowed time with the Jamaican legend.
None of Perry’s story is captured in the Marley biopic except a brief scene with young Marley and the Wailers, for that you’d have to watch the biography “People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry” by David Katz.
Evvy joins WMV for an interview following the launch of the movie in Kingston and London to talk about his preparation and filming process and share lessons he learned along the way from the dub master.
How did you prepare for the role of Lee “Scratch” Perry?
The character didn’t get much screen time; there was a storyline. It’s a supporting role in a sense.
What aspects of Perry’s character did you find most challenging to portray?
It was pretty easy.
Can you share any memorable moments from the filming process in Kingston, Jamaica? What was the atmosphere like working with the director?
I initially had two days of shoot, and it ended up being one. I don’t know; maybe I was that good. The organization is always something to experience with an international film company, and they were flawless with the organization of the process. It felt easy. So easy. You’re getting custom at the right time, picked up at the right time, you’re in your trailer; when it’s your time, they ship you over to the set. You go on the set; everything is ready, spliffs made for you; it’s a beauty to just walk on the set and feel the era.
How did you find the premiere of the movie on January 23 in Kingston?
The premiere was beautiful; it’s what a premier should be for any Jamaican film. The last premiere that felt like that was “Betta Muss Come.” That was a beautiful premiere. The Yardie Premiere was beautiful too, but that was in London. It would have been great if it was in Jamaica.
But a Bob, and a Ziggy and a Paramount, the Marleys, Paramount, the energies of these iconic figures are going to be epic when they’re doing stuff of this nature, especially the legacy of Bob Marley. It has to be handled with a lot of care and reverence and joy. It’s really big, and I am impressed with the setup and organization and flow.
What did you learn about Bob while shooting the film?
Not only while shooting, during the whole audition process which, for me, was a year and a half long. I started out by auditioning for Bob. When I got exposed to the script and the side of him that they wanted to portray, sometimes people see me in the streets and say I remind them of Bob and say that’s how Bob used to jog in the streets and walk around and never afraid of people. Bob was down to earth and for the people. Bob has a quote where he says ‘if my life is for me, I don’t want it,’ his life is for the people. A lot of people are not so selfless these days, especially when they turn star.
Bob, for me, is a different kind of symbol growing up in my personal life; when I listened to the man, it was out of curiosity as to why he was hated, and he was a messenger of love. I used to lock up in my room and listen to the Africa Unite album.
What was the relationship between Lee Scratch Perry and Bob Marley like?
It’s like a complete emotional rollercoaster, up and down, good and bad. Overall, they were a great team together when it comes to the music. Whatever it was between them, for me, that’s between them. Where I am at is, these are two important national treasures to the culture of Jamaica. Bob is my hero, Scratch is my hero too. I have indelible ratings for them. I think there is no big deal between them actually. People love clash, and that’s how you get a little mileage.
I remember one time I was at a One Love concert seeing Lee Scratch Perry saw Skip Marley and hugged him and told him he loved the things he was doing. I thought that was beautiful that he was hugging the grandson of his so-called enemy. I saw a genuine thing between them, and if Lee was that kind of enemy, he wouldn’t be dealing with any of them.
Can you share any anecdotes or behind-the-scenes stories that stood out to you during the making of “Bob Marley: One Love”?
First of all, the director is an amazing person. I did a few auditions for this project, a lot actually. The first one in front of him, he said ‘I remember your face,’ then members of his team saying, ‘yeah, because he did some auditions for the same Bob Marley movie,’ and he was saying ‘No, I know you from somewhere else.’ He remembered me from an audition for “Top Boy” a few years before. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to be a part of Top Boy. The director really handed me a lot of trust; one time he said you can do what you want, and I was like wow, watch the scene, and you will see. Young Bob is a singer and musician, and when Bob was singing the song, it was one of my favorite Bob, and I had to pretend I didn’t like it.
Did you have the opportunity to interact with Lee Scratch Perry himself while he was alive that may have helped you in preparing for the role?
I did have the opportunity to spend time with Lee Scratch Perry at a very sacred moment in his life. I have always been told I remind people of Lee Scratch Perry, and at one point, I was like let me check this guy out. Not only is he eccentric, he is like if the party was a person. Always in his childish nature, and that’s one of the most powerful vibrations you can be in. Respect to his wife Mary; she has done a great job in maintaining the person and his legacy. It’s a very emotional touching time; one moment we went kayaking, to this Cay offshore, and I noticed every time we and Lee Scratch Perry go out in nature, nature gets excited, and he is happy to be in nature. He is just interested in the stones, the trees, the insects. He pointed to specific types of red ants, seaweed that look like locs, and the man put it on his head. He is mystical; it was a joy.
How do you think the movie contributes to the portrayal of Jamaican music history and its cultural impact?
Once again, a Bob is carrying the culture, and this time he comes to pick up the film industry with him. So, it’s not only music; the man is an icon even after life. I don’t know why they’re hesitating to give him the Hero status. He is more than a Hero to other people in India and to most people, so I don’t even know. He transcends across ethnicity, color; it’s a beautiful message.
