BOB Marley's legendary band, The Wailers, is to perform in Bermuda next week, part of a musical showcase which hopes to raise money for children's charities.

Also appearing at the Bermuda One Love 2005 concert, popular 1960s ska group the Skatalites, and a host of local talent.

The production is the brainchild of Ashley Redmond. In 2000, he brought the English band Ginger Pig to the island in honour of the Tall Ships Festival.

He said the idea stemmed from that event although next week's concert promotes a different genre of music and a different cause ? the impetus behind it all is Small Planet, an organisation which has applied for charitable status and which has as its motto: Doing the right thing for the right reason.

"This concert is the first of many for Small Planet. We're taking a third of the proceeds from the event and giving it to the Alpha Boys School in Jamaica, a famous orphanage which is a charity choice of the artists.

"We're giving a third to a local children's charity, and the other third, we're going to keep within our own charity structure as momentum to move forward to the next event.

"It's not just about the charities," he insisted. "Charity starts at home. What we want is for people to come and have a dance. The Skatalites will blow your mind. If you're not dancing by the time the Skatalites have finished performing, you don't have a heartbeat."

The Wailers formed in 1964 when Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Livingston banded together. The group hit number one that year with the single and the rest is history.

The group continues today with none of its original members ? the only surviving one, Mr. Livingston aka Bunny Wailer, left the group in 1974.

A long-time fan of The Wailers, Mr. Redmond said he was in England when he noticed a poster promoting an upcoming concert. He decided to attend and approached the band about a possible performance here.

"I called Spanish Town and asked if it was too late to get The Wailers for Cup Match," he said. "One of my regrets was that I never saw Bob perform live. Hearing them is as close to that as you're going to get. (Current group member Aston Barrett aka) 'Family Man' wrote over a third of the lyrics of all Bob's music. He composed and produced everything ? for Rita Marley for all of the Marleys. And he's the one running the show today."

To successfully orchestrate the event, Mr. Redmond turned to two experienced groups ? Startime Productions and Spanish Town. Together, they agreed on the need for a mega-tent in case of inclement weather and a bang-up selection of local talent. Performing are Jahstice, Mango Seed, Flookie, Squinty, Daddy Wild, Blac and SoulJah One.

"These are two of reggae's legendary bands and we're also very confident about the local talent," said Antoine Raynor of Startime Productions. "Sometimes talent in Bermuda is an afterthought ? just because promoters have to have local talent in their billing.

"That's the law. But any talent from anywhere is cultivated first of all, at home. If people are going to get serious about performing and being entertainers, then they have to be given the chance to be put in front of crowds to gain that experience."

He gave his assurance that security on the night would be "tight" and that the event was somewhere parents could feel comfortable attending with their kids.

"Last year we did four shows and didn't have any violence. It all depends on how you handle your shows ? how you advertise to people and how you put your product out," he said.

"This is really an event that you can bring your children to. We're still confident that the majority of Bermudians are able to conduct themselves in a way that is respectful of everyone else around."

Bermuda One Love 2005 takes place on Wednesday, July 27 at the Number One Gate at Kindley Field. Advance tickets are $45 and are available at Red Laser, Dub City, Queen of Sheba, Logic Communications and Music World. Admission at the gate is $65. Gates open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m.