The Marley Children

The Marley children continue to represent their father. Ziggy and Cedella Marley have been the most recent spokespersons on their father’s legacy. Last night Nightline interviewed Ziggy on Los Angeles declaring August 7^th as Bob Marley Day.  But the interview “Being Marley: Ziggy Opens Up on Father, Music” was really about the son expressing the joy he has in carrying the torch of his father’s music and spirit. “When I play his music I just feel like I’m playing my own music.  It’s a part of me it doesn’t feel strange,” said Ziggy.  

On August 9^th, Kevin McDonald’s documentary Marley was shown at the Puma Yard in London.  It was the same night the Jamaican men swept the 200m medals at the Olympics.  Puma launched a line of clothing by Cedella Marley in honor of Jamaican athletics.  It was one of the largest selling items from the store as many of the clothes were sold out in London before the Olympics ended.  In addition to the clothes designed by Cedella there was a line of Marley Coffees and Marley’s Mellow Mood drinks. 

Marley released in New York in May was one of the first in depth examinations of the musician’s biracial background. Macdonald interviewed relatives, white and black, from Marley’s paternal line. The film also showed Marley’s impact in Jamaican national politics during the 1970s and the global power of his music even though he died 31 years ago.  “His songs are not made for a certain time period or a certain style of dressing or dancing," said Ziggy. "His music is timeless.”

Watch the Nightline Segment