Rita Marley, formerly Rita Anderson, had been making records since 1964, starting her career at Studio One, the record company where Bob and The Wailers had first made a name for themselves. She sang duets with Bunny Wailer as Bunny/Bonnie & Rita, duetted with Peter Tosh, and sang lead in a group, The Soulettes, which recorded extensively in the mid-sixties and sang on records by Jamaican soul vocalist Tony Gregory and saucy ska singles by Lee Perry.
As a solo artist, Rita came close to having a UK hit in 1966 with a cool ska take of The Changin’ Times/Crispian St Peters’ smash “Pied Piper” and cut a fine version of Nancy Ames’ “Friends And Lovers Forever.” By 1968, she was part of The Wailers’ venture with US chart act Johnny Nash and JAD Records, and cut a rocksteady version of Bob Marley’s “Bend Down Low” under the credit of Bob, Rita & Peter. Like her husband (she’d married Bob in 1966), she was produced by Lee Perry in the early 70s, offering a version of The Beatles’ “Let It Be,” along with the funky “Bring It Up” and “This World,” and there had been numerous other releases between 1965 and the formation of The I-Threes.
Rita Marley (born 1946), who was married to Bob in 1966, and had 3 children with him (6 in total), continues to carry on his legacy through converting his home until the Bob Marley Museum, and serving as founder and chair fo the Robert Marley Foundation, Bob Marley Trust, and Bob Marley Group of Companies. She’s also founded her own organization, the Rita Marley Foundation in 2000 to carry forth work in eliminating poverty in developing countries, and supporting young musicians to attend college in Ghana. Rita has adopted over 30 children in Ethiopia.
Not without controversy, but Rita has continued to be the visual ambassador of the Marley legacy. Philanthropic and business contributions aside, she has also released 13 albums over the span of her singing career and penned an autobiography entitled “No Woman, No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley” (2004).
Rita Marley: A Legendary Musician and Philanthropist
Rita Marley, born Alpharita Constantia Anderson in 1946, has been a trailblazing musician and philanthropist for over five decades. Her remarkable career, which began in 1964, has been marked by numerous achievements, including her work as a solo artist, her collaborations with legendary musicians, and her tireless efforts to carry on the legacy of her late husband, Bob Marley.
Early Music Career
Rita’s music career took off in the early 1960s when she started recording at Studio One, the renowned record company where Bob Marley and The Wailers first gained popularity. She sang duets with Bunny Wailer as Bunny/Bonnie & Rita and collaborated with Peter Tosh on several projects. As the lead singer of The Soulettes, Rita recorded extensively in the mid-1960s and sang on records by Jamaican soul vocalist Tony Gregory and Lee Perry.
Solo Career and Collaborations
As a solo artist, Rita came close to achieving a UK hit in 1966 with her ska rendition of “Pied Piper.” She also recorded a notable version of Nancy Ames’ “Friends And Lovers Forever.” In 1968, Rita joined The Wailers’ venture with US chart act Johnny Nash and JAD Records, resulting in a rocksteady version of Bob Marley’s “Bend Down Low” under the credit of Bob, Rita & Peter.
In the early 1970s, Rita worked with producer Lee Perry, releasing a version of The Beatles’ “Let It Be,” as well as the funky tracks “Bring It Up” and “This World.” Her music career continued to flourish, with numerous releases between 1965 and the formation of The I-Threes.
Philanthropic Work and Legacy
Rita Marley’s philanthropic efforts have been instrumental in carrying on Bob Marley’s legacy. She converted his home into the Bob Marley Museum and serves as the founder and chair of the Robert Marley Foundation, Bob Marley Trust, and Bob Marley Group of Companies.
In 2000, Rita established her own organization, the Rita Marley Foundation, which focuses on eliminating poverty in developing countries and supporting young musicians to attend college in Ghana. Her foundation has also facilitated the adoption of over 30 children in Ethiopia.
Music and Literary Contributions
In addition to her philanthropic work, Rita Marley has released 13 albums throughout her singing career. Her autobiography, “No Woman, No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley,” was published in 2004, offering a unique glimpse into her life with the legendary musician.
Rita Marley’s enduring legacy is a testament to her dedication to music, philanthropy, and her family’s heritage. As a visual ambassador of the Marley legacy, Rita continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world.
