Ziggy Marley shares father’s final message

Ziggy Marley has reflected on the enduring influence of his late father, reggae icon Bob Marley, saying the final advice he received before his father’s death has remained a guiding principle throughout his life and career.

Speaking ahead of the release of Bob Marley: One Love, Ziggy recalled that he was just 12 years old when Bob Marley died from cancer in 1981. More than four decades later, he said the last words his father spoke to him continue to shape the decisions he makes both as a musician and as a parent.

“[He said] ‘On your way up, take me up. On your way down, don’t let me down,'” Ziggy said. “A father son relationship is very deep, and it’s a spiritual thing also. We share a certain spiritual foundation. My father, myself, my brothers and my sisters. So that word means exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, I’m doing.”

The 55 year old musician said the message has never felt like a burden because he believes he has naturally followed the values his father instilled in him.

Ziggy also rejected a long circulated claim about Bob Marley’s reported final words. “Money can’t buy life. That’s not true,” he said, dismissing the widely repeated quotation.

Reflecting on his father’s character beyond his musical achievements, Ziggy said Bob Marley demonstrated the importance of remaining true to one’s beliefs. “I think for me what I learned from my father most being around him is a way of having principles and living up to your principles and standing up for your principles,” he said.

He added that his father’s example taught him “selflessness, charity, standing up for what you believe, and having principles. Spirituality too.”

Now a father himself, Ziggy said raising his own children has broadened his understanding of life. His latest album, Rebellion Rises, was created with his son Isaiah closely involved throughout the recording process, an experience he described as especially meaningful.

Rather than seeing parenthood as a one way relationship, Ziggy said he continues to learn from his children. “They have opened my eyes to humanity more because learning from them that they’re not just my children, but they’re human beings,” he said.

Watching them grow has strengthened qualities such as patience, openness and humility, he added. “We all keep learning. Patience, openness, humility. All of these things. Lots of lessons.”

#ZiggyMarley #BobMarley #Reggae #Jamaica #OneLove #CaribbeanCulture #ReggaeMusic #MarleyFamily #MusicLegend #CaribbeanCamera