The "One Love - Once Again" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Checking out the online site known as the Caribbean Journal  (www.digest@caribjournal.com).  Neat website for those who enjoy travel and stories about the Caribbean and all they encompass.  One of the stories that was published today was about a young man named Skip Marley.  Recognize the name?  In 2008 Carol and I, along with our traveling friends Jerry and Just Sue, made a visit to the island of Jamaica for vacation.  Arrived just in time to celebrate Skip's grandfather's birthday.  

Bob Marley

Bob Marley was perhaps the most famous musician who was born on the island of Jamaica.  Seems that everywhere we traveled we saw memorabilia being offered for sale that bore the face of Bob Marley.  One of his most famous songs written in 1965, One Love, is one of my favorite Caribbean songs.  The rhythm and words are infectious and there is no way you can listen to the song and not sing along with Bob and The Wailers.  We stayed at the Sandals in Ocho Rios and in the resort's gift shop was offered a "One Love, One Heart" package which featured 10 5x7 photos, 1 5x7 frame and 5 images on a CD all for the price of $138.00.  

Display at the entrance to
the resort advertising the
birthday celebration of Bob.

I'm sorry to say I passed on that terrific deal.  We did get to celebrate Bob's birthday at the resort with an afternoon  Reggae Dance Class and a Bob Marley Trivia quiz.  In the evening we got to watch a documentary on Bob's life as well as watch the staff at the resort perform some of Bob's songs.  Well, today's story deals with Bob's 19-year-old grandson Skip Marley.  Skip is the daughter of Bob's first born daughter Cedella Marley.  He is a reggae artist who was born in Jamaica.  It's been 35 years since Bob died and the Marley family seems to have found a way in Skip to carry on the legacy of their iconic patriarch.  The dreadlocks look much the same and Skip has a slight resemblance to his grandfather, but to me he doesn't have the rhythm that Bob exhibited in his music.  Seems that Skip is embracing his surname and will bring the Marley name back into the forefront in the field of reggae music.  I find Skip's voice to sound similar to his grandfather's, but the moves just aren't there .... yet!  I can't imagine the pressure this young talent must feel as he begins his journey to the top.  Take a second and listen to perhaps the next great musical star from the island of Jamaica.  "Cry To Me" was written and arranged by Skip Marley.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

Skip Marley