Is it really necessary to air out what looks like a Marley family dispute by writing a “tell-all” book? I, personally, feel there has to be a better way to get the result you (as in Ky-Mani) desire. I wonder what song Bob Marley would write today after seeing all the turmoil in his family over money, his money. ~Affrodite

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Son of the Legendary Bob Marley, Ky-Mani pens his personal, controversial memoir, Dear Dad: “Where’s The Family In Our Family, Today?” The Story the Marley Family Apparently Doesn’t Want You to Know. Available now on Amazon and in book stores to coincide with Bob Marley’s 65th birthday February 6, 2010.

According to Fortune magazine, the Bob Marley estate generates as much as $600 million, and by 2012, it is expected to generate in excess of $1 Billion–making Bob Marley the richest deceased celebrity. With all the wealth, the acclaim and the legacy, why would the Marley family try to censor a true life story written by of one of Bob Marley’s sons–who many say is the son who best resembles his father’s extraordinary talent? In fact, the Marley family is so outraged over the publishing of this memoir they lodged a campaign of intimidation over Ky-Mani Marley as the author of this book, unless the thus far forsaken and ostracized son of Bob Marley rewrites the truth and omits the sometimes harsh realities of his being excluded from the Marley family’s affairs and events, and of intentionally being denied the love and attention enjoyed by the other children. They also demand that he confirm and showcase such distortions during his interviews and the highly awaited book tour.

Ky-Mani’s publisher, Dr. Farrah Gray, defends the memoir and the author’s right to disclose and describe the story of his life, even if it exposes situations and episodes the Marley estate prefers not to reveal. Gray’s position is based on his personal commitment to the truth and is also grounded in law. Legal authorities confirm the publisher’s right to pursue a claim of ‘tortious interference’ –a civil action that could possibly deem the Marley estate liable for damages caused by its threats to Marley’s son. Injunctive relief is also being considered.

“Family politics can be a straight bitch. It can flow deep. And it can cut deep. You have to understand what I’m calling family politics. It was family politics that gave me all of the growing-up experiences I have detailed in this book,” said Ky-Mani Marley.

The truth–and this book–will not be stopped. Published to coincide with Bob Marley’s birthday, Dear Dad: “Where’s The Family in Our Family, Today?” The Story the Marley Family Apparently Doesn’t Want You to Know (Farrah Gray Publishing; February 6, 2010; ISBN-13: 978-0-9727-0999-6; $14.95; Original Trade Paperback), by world-renowned and Grammy®-nominated recording and performing artist, Ky-Mani Marley–Bob Marley’s tenth child–is a compelling biographical account of a son who was locked out of his iconic father’s shelter after his death, and forced to survive poverty and run-ins with the street-predators of Miami’s violent ghetto. Ky-Mani grew up estranged from his siblings, and also cut out of any financial gain by Marley’s widow and manager of the Marley Estate. This compelling narrative chronicles young Ky-Mani’s gritty ascent from a bullet-riddled life to the world stages he now commands as a musical artist–a platform he has made on his own

Ky-Mani performs songs of redemption around the world like his famous father did, but has also lived to tell his personal redemptive story.

source: Farrah Gray Publishing

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The late, great Bob Marley used music as a means to communicate about love, war, and all that we try to do to keep the two in perfect balance.  I feel lucky to have been alive during a part of his lifetime, as I do have memories of Bob Marley in life.  With some of my family’s heritage in the West Indies (Guyana), I think of reggae as one of the main music forms I heard in the house growing up as opposed to disco and early rap and many children of the 70s and 80s in the US would likely recall.  I remember speaking with my cousins about Marley’s death.  As young as we were, we understood enough to know that his passing was a big deal.

As an adult, I understand more about Bob Marley, his lifestyle, and the things he did that may have attributed to him getting cancer and ultimately his death.  However, nothing could take away from the fact that Marley could write and perform reggae like none other and was a poet and prophet.  Whether recording alone or along with the Wailers, he left us with a symphony of music that is absolutely timeless.  For any mood you’re in, he has written and/or performed a classic that speaks to your soul.  I don’t think I can even pick a favorite.

36 years young, and I gasp as I recognize that Bob Marley died at the very age I am today.  What an inspiration, and yet so sad at the same time.  In such a short life, he left a profound legacy that I can’t even begin to imagine being able to do in my entire lifetime.

Thinking of you today, Bob Marley, May 11, 2009.

Bob Marley bio…

Bob Marley and the Wailers “Them Belly Full”