Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

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 ten 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 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.