LONG BEACH, Calif.--Over the years, reggae enthusiast Roger Steffens has become known as a writer, actor, photographer, editor and producer. Now, with the opening of the exhibit “The World of Reggae featuring Bob Marley [ tickets ],” he can tack on curator to the end of that string of titles.

Since reading an article about Bob Marley in Rolling Stone 27 years ago, Steffens has taken a personal and professional interest in reggae, co-writing “Bob Marley: Spirit Dancer,” founding a magazine devoted to reggae called the Beat, and hosting the award-winning radio show “Reggae Beat” on KCRW in Los Angeles.

Initially begun as a writer’s file, Steffens' archive over the years has expanded to the point that the hoarded memorabilia now occupies six rooms and the garage of his Pasadena home. Part of that collection is now stationed in Long Beach at the foot of the Queen Mary, where it will be on display through September. Steffens hopes to eventually make it into a traveling exhibit.

“To be able to share almost 30 years of collecting is one of the great joys of my life. I’ve dreamed of this week for years and years,” Steffens said at the press opening last week, which was attended by reggae stars Majek Fashek and Tippa Irie, and featured a half-hour performance by reggae legend Ross Michael.

Comprising two buildings at the foot of the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Steffens said the thousands of reggae LP’s, 45’s, photos, articles, and posters currently on display represent only about one percent of his overall collection. "The bigger it gets the more it acts like a magnet, if someone can find a Marley piece I don't have ... almost always they just give it to me. So what this exhibition is, is a chance for me to share all the generosity that's been extended to me with everyone else."

Organized chronologically, the archive includes ska and dub artists who helped influence what would become reggae, and also explains the political and religious components of the Jamaican music that Bob Marley put on the map.

In addition to displaying the archive, Steffens hopes to host reggae-related concerts and events at the Queen Mary in the next year, bringing together artists who, for more than 40 years, have helped bring reggae to where it is today.