Entertainment
Marley Brothers Keep Their Father’s Legacy Alive on First Tour in 2 Decades
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Marley’s musical legacy of harmony and serenity has hit the road, together with his sons carrying on their late father’s timeless message during a multi-city tour.
Following in the footsteps of the reggae giant are his five sons – Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani and Damian – as Marley Brothers: Legacy TourThis is the primary time in 20 years that the siblings have toured together.
Marley’s sons are paying tribute to his work by performing some 30 of their father’s songs, including big hits like “No Woman, No Cry,” “Could You Be Loved,” “Is This Love” and “Three Little Birds.” The 22-date tour kicked off in Vancouver and can wrap up in Miami in early October.
“It was very important,” Ziggy said of the tour, as his brothers Stephen and Julian sat next to him after a recent rehearsal in Los Angeles. The multiple Grammy winner said it was necessary to find time for the 2 of them in their busy schedules to pay tribute to their father, who would have turned 80 in February 2025.
“When the opportunity comes, we can come together and cherish it and appreciate it,” he continued. “That’s the most important part — just being able to do it together. Time flies.”
The Marley brothers have their very own reggae sounds, but they’ve found a method to mix all of them. They’ve been performing together since they were kids, including last yr at Red Rocks in Colorado. Two or three have appeared on stage at other shows, like when Damian and Stephen performed on the Hollywood Bowl last month.
Julian said years of collaboration have created a deep musical synergy between his siblings — a natural extension of their shared heritage.
“His message transcends barriers. It breaks barriers,” Julian said. “No matter what country you go to, people need the same message. That’s why it’s so eternal. It never ends. That’s why we’re here and we’re on this mission.”
Marley rose from the tough slums of Trench Town in Kingston, Jamaica, and rose to superstardom in the Seventies with hits reminiscent of “Get Up, Stand Up” and “I Shot the Sheriff.” His lyrics promoting social justice and African unity made him a worldwide icon before he died of cancer in 1981 at age 36.
However, Marley’s legacy has lived on in many projects, including an enticing exhibition in New York and his biographical film “Bob Marley: One Love”, which (*2*)debuted in first place on the box office in February.
On Sunday, the brothers were presented with a proclamation declaring September 22 as “Marley Brothers Day” in the New York City borough of Queens.
His sons have continued their father’s legacy while forging their very own paths to success, reminiscent of Julian, who picked up his first Grammy in February.
Ziggy and Stephen have won eight Grammy Awards each; Damian has taken home five trophies, and Ky-Mani has received a nomination.
Stephen said that in addition to the tour, they need to work on a brand new album together and promote their father’s positive message. He said it should take a while, but they hope to do it “in the near future.”
“The message in the music is what it’s really about,” said Stephen, who prepared the set list for the tour. “For me, that message is so needed right now. Our father is one of the powerful ones who gave that message. That’s why we’re here.”