If you're down at the ASB Arena tonight, don't be surprised if you hear the term ‘back in the day' thrown around quite a bit.

Because tonight, and for one night only, taking to the stage will be the Godfather of Reggae Jimmy Cliff, Aotearoa legends Herbs and Ardijah, and local singer-songwriter Regan ‘Little King' Perry.

Legendary reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff takes to the ASB Arena stage tonight. Photo: File.

With a career spanning five decades and 36 studio albums, 67-year-old Cliff is reggae's first superstar and one of those beautiful musicians who shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

'Oh man, we're big fans and a lot of his songs we grew up with back in the day,” says Ardijah's drummer and jack of all trades Ryan ‘Captain Fonk' Monga.

'To get the invite to open for him - we're quite proud that we have that chance to show our thing off.

'Jimmy was behind a lot of the songs that were the soundtrack to our lives growing up, plus I've never seen him live, so we get the chance to see that happen too.”

It's a sentiment shared by Herbs vocalist and keyboardist Tama Lundon, who also expresses his excitement ahead of tonight's show.

'He's one of the original old reggae rockers from the 60's,” says Tama. 'We can't wait. He's about the only person we have met over the years as far as all the big reggae artists go.”

For many Kiwis, Ardijah and Herbs have been two of the most influential musical groups this country has ever produced.

Ryan recalls Ardijah and Herbs' first show together was sometime around 1986 when the two toured with Wellington bands Aotearoa and Dread Beat And Blood.

Both bands formed in Auckland back in 1979, both have extensive catalogues spanning 30 years, both still perform regularly and draw in crowds, and both say they have new music in the works.

Ardijah, from left: Betty-Anne Monga, Rico Tali, Kaitapu Monga, Karl Benton, and Ryan ‘Captain Fonk' Monga. Photo: Ardijah.

Ardijah gave Aotearoa ‘Poly Funk' - a blend of Polynesian sounds with funk, rock and reggae best heard in ‘Moonlighting', ‘Silly Love Songs' and ‘Watching You'.

While Herbs set the standard for Aotearoa reggae, expressing their strong political messages, such as ‘Parihaka', ‘French letter' and ‘Sensitive to a Smile', with soulful, heartfelt and intelligent music.

'We started out around the same time,” recalls Ryan. 'They were in the city and we were in the suburbs, in South Auckland. Their songs are part of our ‘growing up' history too.”

Tama adds: 'Yeah it's awesome to be sharing the bill again with Ardijah.

'They're great musicians and good value too. It also helps that Kaitapu [Aridjah bassist] is Herbs' bass player when we have the full band too.”

Herbs' Tama Renata, Tama Lundon and Dilworth Karaka. Photo: Jacman Entertainment/Facebook.

Tonight the crowd will be treated to Herbs Accoustic, which features Tama Lundon joined by Dilworth Karaka and Tama Renata.

Tama says they've been doing the acoustic thing for a couple of years now and it's been well received no matter where they play.

'We write our songs with guitars originally,” says Tama, 'but performing acoustically it sounds nicer. You get to hear everything and it's really clean.

'We've been doing smaller venues and audiences have responded really well.”

And for all you Ardijah lovers, you'll be pleased to know that you'll be receiving ‘the full package' tonight, says Ryan.

It'll be the full band with Ryan joined on stage by wife Betty-Anne on vocals and their son Kaitapu Monga on bass, Rico Tali on sax, flute, ukulele and guitar, and Karl Benton on keyboards.

Ryan adds: 'It's got quite a big sound for a five-piece band, and leaves room for the music to breathe. Less is more as they say.

'I can't wait for tonight, we're all from back in the day so it's a bit of a reminisce with all the old hits.

'I know that everyone – Ardijah, Herbs and probably Jimmy too – we love playing, we're still going strong, and yeah, it's beautiful.”

General Admission tickets are still available for tonight's show featuring Jimmy Cliff, joined by Ardijah, Herbs and Regan Perry. Reserved and earlybird tickets have sold out.

Tickets cost $69 + BF and are available at Creative Tauranga, 112 Willow Street, Tauranga, or online at: www.eventfinda.co.nz

To get you in the groove check out Ardijah and Herbs in action below:

Herbs' ‘French Letter'