Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
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
Associated acts	Damian Marley
Website	TheMelodyMakers.com
Past members	Ziggy Marley Stephen Marley Sharon Marley Cedella Marley Erica Newell

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were a Jamaican 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 endeavors in their pre-teens under the name The Melody Makers.

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers was 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". 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. 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.