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Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers | |
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![]() Left to right: Sharon, Cedella, Stephen, and Ziggy | |
Background information | |
Also known as | The Melody Makers |
Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
Genres | Reggae, dancehall |
Years active | 1979–2002 |
Labels | Tuff Gong, Rita Marley Music, Ghetto Youths United, EMI America, EMI, Virgin, Elektra, Rounder |
Past members | Ziggy Marley Stephen Marley Sharon Marley Cedella Marley |
Website | TheMelodyMakers.com |
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were a Jamaican-American reggae family group whose line-up consisted of the children of musicians, Bob Marley and Rita Marley, which includes lead singer Ziggy Marley with Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, and Stephen Marley. Formed in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers members began their musical endeavours in their pre-teens under the name the Melody Makers.
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were launched into mainstream recognition following the release of their best-selling fourth album, Conscious Party , which contained the hit single "Tomorrow People" and the number-one single "Tumblin' Down". [1]
Their fifth album, One Bright Day , which contains themes of optimism and self-empowerment, was released in 1989. In 2000, they toured worldwide for the release of their live DVD, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers Live (2001). In 1996, they sang the theme song for the animated children's TV series Arthur .
Originally formed at the request of their father, Bob Marley, it was only after his death that the Melody Makers came into their own. [2] Their vision, however, is similar to their father's desire to bring people together through music and the Melody Makers' pop-reggae sound has certainly done that. The band is comprised by four of Bob Marley's 11 children, vocalist/guitarist Ziggy, vocalist/guitarist/drummer Stephen, vocalist Cedella, and vocalist Sharon. As the eldest male, Ziggy is viewed by the press as the group's leader, with Stephen often sharing in the songwriting and lead vocals. [2]
The four siblings initially came together as a musical unit in 1979 to record "Children Playing in the Streets". [2] Bob Marley had composed the song four years earlier for his children and wanted to share this gift with children around the world. All royalties from the single were pledged to the United Nations, to aid its efforts during the International Year of the Child. Ziggy and Stephen performed together at their father's funeral on 21 May 1981, dancing alongside the I-Threes and the Wailers, during their brief homage to the great artist. Later that year, the Melody Makers released their second single, "What a Plot," which, like their debut, appeared on their late father's own Tuff Gong label. [2] In 1983, the group performed at Reggae Sunsplash, a festival that Ziggy and Stephen were already veterans of, having appeared on-stage there back in 1979 during the Wailers' own set.
In 1984, the Melody Makers began a recording session with English producer Steve Levine that released a single, "Lying in Bed". In 1985, the group released their first album, Play the Game Right . [2] Although accompanied by the Barrett brothers, who were the solid rhythm section for the Wailers, the group's record bore little resemblance to their father's music.
In 1986, Hey World was released and credited to Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers. [2] This album laid the groundwork for the group's fast-maturing sound. A phenomenal mix of upbeat pop and heavier roots, cemented by hip electro-production, it was evident that the Melody Makers were no longer in the thrall of their father's music, but had found their own voice. In support of the album, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers embarked on their first tour, a veritable Tuff Gong roadshow with Nadine Sutherland and the I-Threes as opening acts. The group was well received at the yearly Reggae Sunsplash in 1986 and 1987. [2]
In 1988, the band's popularity was so high that they were signed to the international major label Virgin Records. [2] Later that year, they went into the studio with Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz of Talking Heads to record their third album, Conscious Party . The album charted at no. 23 on the Billboard 200 and no. 26 on the R&B Albums chart. [3] The album spawned the successful single "Tomorrow People", which charted at no. 16 on the Mainstream Rock chart and no. 39 on the Hot 100. [1] The second single "Tumblin' Down" was also well-received charting at no. 1 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and at no. 28 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles charts. [1] The album received a Grammy award for "Best Reggae Album".
The Melody Makers' follow-up album One Bright Day , released in 1989. The album charted at no. 26 on the Billboard 200 and at no. 43 on the R&B Albums chart. [3] The single "Look Who's Dancin'" received positive feedback and charted at no. 41 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and at no. 23 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles charts. [1] The album also spawned the singles "Black My Story (Not History)", "One Bright Day", "Justice", and "When the Lights Gone Out". The album received a Grammy award for "Best Reggae Album".
In 1991, the group released their sixth album, Jahmekya . Although it brought the Melody Makers their most glowing reviews, the record itself did not begin to equal the sales of their last albums, and their single, "Good Time", barely scraped into the bottom reaches of the charts. The single "Good Time" only charted no. 85 on Hot 100 charts. [1] The album charted at no. 3 on the Top World Music Albums and at no. 63 on the Billboard 200. [3] The album also spawned the singles "Rainbow Country", "Kozmic", and "Small People". The album received a Grammy nomination.
In 1993, the group released their seventh album "Joy and Blues". The album charted at no. 5 on the Top World Music Albums chart, no. 75 on the R&B Albums chart, no. 178 on the Billboard 200 chart, and no. 11 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. [3] Returning to their roots with a vengeance and accompanied by former Wailers' bassist Aston Barrett, the album was their final one for Virgin.
In 1995, the group signed a record deal with Elektra and released "Free Like We Want 2 B" accompanied by the group's own recording label "Ghetto Youths United". The album charted at no. 170 on the Billboard 200 chart and no. 3 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. [3] The single "Power to Move Ya" charted no. 13 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles. [1]
In 1996 Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers released a song called "Love Power" for the Jim Henson soundtrack movie Muppet Treasure Island with the composers Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil In that same year, the group performed "Believe in Yourself", the theme song to the PBS Kids series, Arthur .
In early 1997, the group performed at the tribute concert "Marley Magic Live" in Central Park, New York on the Summerstage. They also released their second best-of album "The Best of (1988-1993)". Later that year, the group released ninth album "Fallen Is Babylon". The album only charted no. 3 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. [3] In 1998, the second single "Everyone Wants to Be" charted at no. 16 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart. The album earned the group their third Grammy award.
In 1999, the group released their tenth studio album, Spirit of Music. The album peaked at no. 1 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. [3] The album spawned the singles "Higher Vibration," "Jah Will Be Done", and "One Good Spliff". Later that year, the group reunited to perform at the "One Love All-Star Tribute Concert." The concert was recorded and released in the same year and features other performances from Rita Marley, Julian Marley, Erykah Badu, and other artists.
In 2000, the group released their live album Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live, Vol. 1, which charted at no. 5 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. [3] In May 2001, the group released a concert DVD, "Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live". The DVD was filmed in 2000 in Pompano Beach, Florida.
In 2003, Ziggy released his first album Dragonfly . In the same year, Stephen and his brother Damian put together an album called Educated Fools under the group name of Marley Boyz. They recorded it on the labels Ghetto Youths International and Tuff Gong International, collaborating with a number of other reggae artists including their brother Ky-Mani Marley.
Cedella currently lives in Miami, Florida, where she is the CEO of Tuff Gong International. She continues to tour with the Melody Makers internationally and perform on numerous TV shows. She has also developed a collection of customized women's clothing, named Catch A Fire, the title of one of her father's albums.
Sharon balances her prowess on stage with the Caribbean business of Ghetto Youth United, the Melody Makers support group and as the curator of the Bob Marley Museum.
Erica Newell, who was back-up vocalist for the group's tours, has pursued her solo career. She released a single "Inspire Me". She is currently working on her own album, which will be released her independent record label "Ouida International". She sings as a backing vocalist for Stephen Marley and continues to do her own shows.
In 2006, Ziggy released his second album Love Is My Religion , which earned Grammy award for "Best Reggae Album". In the following year, Stephen released his first album Mind Control in March 2007, which also earned a Grammy award for "Best Reggae Album". In 2008, Ziggy released a live CD/DVD "Love Is My Religion Live". In 2009, Ziggy released his third album Family Time . In the same year, Stephen joined Snoop Dogg and Slightly Stoopid on the Blazed and Confused 2009 Tour and released Mind Control Acoustic .
In February 2011, Cedella announced she would design the kit for the Jamaican track and field team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, including world champion Usain Bolt, under an arrangement with Puma. In May 2011, Stephen released his second album "Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life". In July 2011, Ziggy released his fourth album Wild and Free . The album spawned the single "Forward to Love". In September 2011, Cedella released a book called "One Love". Ziggy's "Wild and Free" album and Stephen's "Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life" received a 2012 Grammy nomination. [4] Stephen won the 2012 Grammy award for "Best Reggae Album".
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were often compared to their father's group Bob Marley and the Wailers, a Jamaican reggae group. Jo-Ann Greene of All Music Guide stated, "The Melody Makers had a breezy pop style, and while it was impossible not to hear Bob in Ziggy's vocals, this only emphasized the incredible emotional qualities of his own voice." [2]
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | ||
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Grammy Awards | |||||
1986 | Best Reggae Album | Play the Game Right | Nominated | ||
1989 | Best Reggae Album | Conscious Party | Won | ||
1990 | Best Reggae Album | One Bright Day | Won | ||
1992 | Best Reggae Album | Jahmekya | Nominated | ||
1994 | Best Reggae Album | Joy and Blues | Nominated | ||
1996 | Best Reggae Album | Free Like We Want 2 B | Nominated | ||
1998 | Best Reggae Album | Fallen Is Babylon | Won |
David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican reggae musician. He is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 2002, with whom he released eight studio albums. After the disbandment, Ziggy launched a successful solo career, releasing eight solo studio albums on his own label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. Ziggy continues his father’s practice of recording and self-releasing all of his music. Marley is an eight-time Grammy Award winner and a Daytime Emmy Award recipient.
Conscious Party is Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers' third album. It was released in 1988. This album became popular with the hits "Tumblin' Down" and "Tomorrow People". It won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1989.
Stephen Robert Nesta Marley is a Jamaican-American musician. The son of Bob Marley, Marley is an eight-time Grammy Award winner, three times as a solo artist, twice as a producer of younger brother Damian Marley's Halfway Tree and Welcome to Jamrock albums, and a further three times as a member of his older brother Ziggy Marley's group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.
Damian Robert Nesta "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican DJ, singer, lyricist and rapper. He is the recipient of four Grammy Awards.
Alfarita Constantia "Rita" Marley is a Cuban-born Jamaican singer-songwriter and entrepreneur. She is the widow of reggae legend Bob Marley. Along with Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, Rita was a member of the reggae vocal group the I Threes, the backing vocalists for Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Tuff Gong is the brand name associated with a number of businesses started by Bob Marley and the Marley family. 'Tuff Gong' comes from Marley's nickname, which was in turn an echo of that given to founder of the Rastafari movement, Leonard "The Gong" Howell.
Julian Ricardo Marley is a British-Jamaican reggae musician, songwriter, producer and humanitarian. He is the son of reggae music icon Bob Marley, and Lucy Pounder. In 2024, he received a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for his collaboration album with Antaeus, Colors of Royal (2023).
Love Is My Religion is Ziggy Marley's second solo album, the first being Dragonfly, after the 2000 end of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers. The album was released on 2 July 2006 by father Bob Marley's label Tuff Gong Worldwide, and carries on his reggae-style pop sound and lyrical themes established in Dragonfly. Love Is My Religion was named the 2007 Best Reggae album for the 49th Grammy awards held in Los Angeles in 2007.
Jahmekya is a studio album by the reggae group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, released in 1991.
Free Like We Want 2 B is an album by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, released in 1995 by Elektra Records. It was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best Reggae Album" category.
"One Love" is a ska song written by Bob Marley and recorded by his group the Wailers from their 1965 debut studio album The Wailing Wailers. It was rerecorded as part of the 1970 medley "All in One", which contained reggae reworkings of their early ska songs. This was released as a single and is also included on the compilation African Herbsman under the name "All in One".
Cedella Marley Minto is a Jamaican singer. She is the daughter of reggae singers Bob Marley and Rita Marley and the mother of Skip Marley. She was in the group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers along with her sister and brothers. With the group, she has won three Grammy awards.
Sharon Marley is a Jamaican singer, dancer, and curator. She is the biological daughter of Rita Marley and was adopted by Bob Marley when the two married. She was in the group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers along with her young sister and brothers. With the group, she has won three Grammy awards. Her daughter Donisha Prendergast is a filmmaker and activist.
"Could You Be Loved" is a 1980 song by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released as the first single from their twelfth and last album, Uprising (1980), and is also included on their greatest-hits album Legend (1984). It was written in 1979 on an aeroplane while The Wailers were experimenting on guitar. In the middle of the song, background singers quote a verse from Bob Marley's first single "Judge Not": "The road of life is rocky; And you may stumble too. So while you point your fingers, someone else is judging you". Instruments used on the original record of this song are guitars, bass, drums, acoustic piano, the Hohner clavinet and an organ, as well as the Brazilian cuíca. "Could You be Loved" was very successful on the charts in Europe, peaking within the top 10 in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in Sweden and West Germany.
Family Time is the third studio album by Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley, released in 2009 through the record label Tuff Gong. In 2010, the album earned Marley the Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children. A portion of the album's proceeds were donated to Chepstowe Basic School, Port Antonio, Jamaica. It is led by the single "Walk Tall" featuring Paul Simon.
The discography of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, a Jamaican reggae family group, consists of ten studio albums, one live album, four compilation albums, twenty-three singles and four video albums.
Fly Rasta is the fifth solo studio album by Jamaican reggae artist Ziggy Marley, released on April 15, 2014, on Ziggy's own label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. The album marked Ziggy's return after the Grammy-winning album Ziggy Marley in Concert.
Neville O'Riley Livingston, known professionally as Bunny Wailer, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and percussionist. He was an original member of reggae group The Wailers along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. A three-time Grammy Award winner, he is considered one of the longtime standard-bearers of reggae music. He was also known as Jah B, Bunny O'Riley, and Bunny Livingston.
Skip Marley Minto is a Jamaican singer. He is the son of Cedella Marley and David Minto, and grandson of Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He has received two Grammy Award nominations and an MTV Video Music Award nomination.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Bob Marley: