Ziggy Marley

Members: Ziggy Marley

Active: 1979 - Present

HISTORY

David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968) is a Jamaican musician. He is the oldest son of Rita and Bob Marley, the legendary roots rock reggae singer. Although his mother called and baptised him David, his father nicknamed him "Ziggy" in reference to a big spliff. Born in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, he learned how to play guitar and drums from his father.

CAREER

In 1979, Ziggy and his siblings, Cedella, Stephen and Sharon, made their recording debut with their father, "Children Playing in the Streets". The Melody Makers, as the group came to be known, played occasionally for several years, including at their father's funeral in 1981. Their debut LP was Play the Game Right, which was a very pop-oriented album, earning Ziggy some derision from critics. The band's label, EMI, wanted to market Ziggy as a solo act, and so the Melody Makers moved to Virgin Records, where they recorded Conscious Party (1988, produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). The album was critically and popularly successful, as was One Bright Day (1989) and Jahmekya (1991).

As the 1990s continued, the Melody Makers' sales slowly declined, beginning with Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want to Be (1995).

SOLO CAREER

Ziggy had become politically active by this time, working with the United Nations and creating a record label called Ghetto Youths Crew. A solo album, Dragonfly was released on April 15, 2003.

He voiced a Rasta jellyfish in the 2004 film Shark Tale and also collaborated with Sean Paul on a cover version of his father's song "Three Little Birds" for the soundtrack. The cover was the title song for the film. However, it gained less exposure than "Car Wash" by Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott, possibly due to not being released as a single.

The theme song for the popular PBS children's television show Arthur is sung by Ziggy Marley.

On July 2, 2006, his second solo album Love Is My Religion, was released.

ALBUMS

2003 - Dragonfly

2006 - Love is my religion

COMPILATIONS

Africa Unite: The Singles Collection

SOUNDTRACKS

50 first dates

Shark Tale

DVD's

Life & Debt (feat. Songs by Bob and Ziggy Marley)