The Marley Brothers Carry On Father's Legacy With First Tour in 2 Decades

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Marley’s musical legacy of harmony and peace is hitting the road with his sons, bringing their late father’s timeless message to life on a multi-city tour.

The reggae giant’s footsteps are being followed by his five sons – Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani and Damian – on the Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour. It’s the first time in two decades that the siblings have toured together.

Marley’s sons are paying tribute to his work by performing about 30 of their father’s songs, including 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 will wrap up in Miami in early October.

“It was very important,” Ziggy said of the tour, as his brothers Stephen and Julian sat alongside him after a recent rehearsal in Los Angeles. The multiple Grammy winner said it was important for them to collectively find time in their busy schedules and pay tribute to their father, who would have turned 80 in February 2025.

“When the opportunity presents itself, we can come together and appreciate it and cherish it,” he continued. “That’s what it’s all about, just being able to do that together. Time flies.”

The Marley Brothers have their own reggae sounds but have found a way to blend them. They have been performing together since childhood, including a performance at Red Rocks in Colorado last year. A couple of them have appeared on stage at other shows, such as when Damian and Stephen performed at the Hollywood Bowl last month.

Julian said years of collaboration have fostered a deep musical synergy between his siblings – a natural extension of their shared lineage.

“His message goes beyond barriers. He breaks them,” Julian said. “No matter what country you go to, people need the same message. That’s why this message is so eternal. It never ends. That’s why we’re here and doing this mission.”

Marley rose from the slums of Trench Town in Kingston, Jamaica, to superstardom in the 1970s with hits like “Get Up, Stand Up” and “I Shot the Sheriff.” His lyrics advocating social justice and African unity made him a global icon before he died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

But Marley’s legacy has lived on through several projects, including an immersive exhibit in New York and his biopic “Bob Marley: One Love,” which debuted at No. 1 at the box office in February.

On Sunday, the brothers received a proclamation declaring September 22 as “Marley Brothers Day” in the New York borough of Queens.

His sons have carried on their father’s legacy while carving out their own paths to success, including Julian, who won his first-ever Grammy in February.

Ziggy and Stephen have each won eight Grammy Awards; Damian has won five trophies and Ky-Mani has received one nomination.

In addition to the tour, Stephen said they plan to work together on a new album and further their father’s positive message. He said it will take some time, but they aspire to do it “in the near future.”

“The message of the music is what really matters,” said Stephen, who curated the tour’s setlist. “For me, that message is so needed right now. Our dad is one of those powerful men who got that message across. That’s what we’re here for.”