Son of Bob Marley receives key to the city of Wilmington during visit
A ceremony to honor Stephen Marley, son of Rita and Bob Marley, turned into a welcome home celebration.
The Marleys’ second oldest son was born in Wilmington. Currently on tour, the singer returned to his childhood roots Wednesday to accept a key to the city presented by Mayor Mike Purzycki. Numerous members of the family, friends and supporters attended the event.
Wilmington was Bob Marley’s first American home. His mother, Cedella Booker, whose family name is Malcolm, lived on the first block of 24th St. Malcolm family members still live in the house.
The home is across the street from Tatnall Street Park, which was renamed One Love Park/Tatnall Playground in honor of the reggae legend Bob Marley.
Stephen Marley, an eight-time Grammy Award winner, began his professional singing career at age 7 alongside his brother Ziggy and sisters Sharon and Cedella in the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
Marley and his brother Damien made the brief stop in Wilmington before continuing their journey to the next tour location in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Delaware is home to nearly 6,000 Jamaicans and over 13,000 West Indians. The Malcolm family is working to promote awareness about the impact and contributions Caribbean people have made in Delaware.
In February, the family announced plans to open the Jamaican Heritage and Reggae Museum.
Elite Entertainment, the organizers behind Marley’s key ceremony, will host their second annual Reggae in the Park in June, during Caribbean American Heritage Month. This free, familyfriendly music festival will take place at Glasgow Park in New Castle County.
You can contact reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline .com.