http://www.bobmarleymagazine.com/archives/372
Heather is a young beautiful singer, an actress, a model; She is of the same blood of Bob Marley: her grandfather was the brother of Norval, Bob´s father. For the first time she tells us the story of the white branch of the Marley´s.
Heather Marley: “Yes, I am related to Bob Marley from my father’s side (Michael George Marley). I am Bob’s second cousin. My father’s father (My grandpa) and Bob Marley’s father are brothers’. Therefore my father and Bob are first cousin’s. The Marley name comes from Syrian/British Roots”. This news is confirmed by Heather´s father, Mr Michael George Marley:
“Per what I was told by my mother, grandmother and uncle, the Marleys were Syrian Jews that migrated from the Middles East to England and then to Jamaica. About ten years ago I did research on the surname which also showed that to be true”
Heather: “My grandfather Noel Marley (brother to Norval) was an Industrial Engineer. He was the owner of Marley & Plant Construction Company. He built roads, bridges, and hotels in Jamaica. He died in late 1989 or early 1990. My father wasn’t that close to him so he is not too sure. My father remembers that he had free medical aid when he lived in Jamaica. He had a doctor who was his uncle. He couldn’t remember the name of his uncle. But, their is an uncle of Bob’s that was a doctor. My father new nothing about Norval. There is some information about him at the Bob Marley museum in Jamaica though. My father didn’t know about Bob Marley until he read about him in a Time Magazine article. (You see, in the early 70’s to be a Rastafarian you were shunned from your family. Your family won’t even claim you. Bob was an outcast. So that is why my father didn’t know about him). But when my dad read the article he knew he had to meet him. My mother called the production company that was putting the upcoming concert for Bob and they agreed to let my mother and father meet Bob. This was about 1979 when my mother and father attended one of Bob’s concerts in New York. Then, Bob and my father met and talked on his tour bus alone. They went over the family tree and how they were related. My father said it was great. They exchanged numbers but never stayed in touch.”
Marco Virgona: “And your relationship with the Marley Family?”
Heather: “I have not met Rita but I have met a few of Bob’s children. My mother, brother and sister and I were at a Ziggy Marley concert a few years back in Dallas. We did not have back seat passes or anything…well something strange happened. Ziggy Marley’s road-manager somehow saw my younger brother Michael before the concert…he just had to come up to my brother and ask him if he was related to the family…my brother said yes. He said you look so much like the Marley family. He was astonished! The road-manager then asked for some identification and we all showed him valid id. My mother even told the story how we were related. Well the road manager just had to bring us backstage to meet Ziggy, Sharon, Cedella, and Steven. (Bob’s children from Rita). He gave us all back stage passes and we enjoyed the concert. Then after the concert we were taken back stage to meet the band and family. Ziggy and the gang were all there. He said to us: “You me cousin?” We said “Yes”. So he shook our hands and wanted us to eat with him and the family. We did just that. It was great. We talked about our grandfather (Noel Marley) who they knew him as “Uncle Noel”. My sister Hyacinth and I even sang a song to Sharon and Cedella. Their photographer took all types of pictures of us. It was great. We exchanged numbers. We got a number and address to their house in Kingston, Jamaica where Rita lives and the number to their home in California. We called and wrote letters. Sent pictures of us and my Dad to them, but never heard back. Rita never took our calls either so we just stopped calling. We didn’t want to bother them. It was a great experience. They were very nice. They come from a strong family with great family values and morals I think more people should live by. If I had the opportunity…I would love to visit with them again. I wish we had a relationship. Every now and then…when I fly back home..East Coast…I get bumped up to first class because of name. It’s great. I have never been to Jamaica but hope to go someday to see where my father’s roots came from.” As for me… I am singing background for local celebrities in the Dallas area. I am searching for a big break! Never giving up on my dream to sing and entertain. I love the industry. Even to work as a producer/songwriter and director would be great!!
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