Marley Brothers upholds father's legacy with first tour in 2 decades

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Marley's musical legacy of harmony and peace has hit the road with his sons bringing their late father's timeless message to life in a multi-city tour.

The reggae giant's footsteps are being filled by his five sons — Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani and Damian — during the Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour. It's the first time the siblings have performed together on tour in two decades.

Marley's sons are honoring his work, performing about 30 of their father's songs including massive hits like “No Woman, No Cry," “Could You Be Loved,” “Is This Love” and “Three Little Birds.” The 22-date tour kicked off in Vancouver and will conclude in early October in Miami.

“This was very important," Ziggy said about the tour while his brothers Stephen and Julian sat beside him after a recent rehearsal in Los Angeles. The multi-Grammy winner said it was important for them to collectively find time in their busy schedules and pay homage to their father — who would have turned 80 in February 2025.

“When the opportunity arise, we can come get together, cherish and appreciate it,” he continued. “That's the big part of it — just being able to do this together. Time is moving.”

The Marley Brothers have their own reggae sounds but found a way to blend it all together. They’ve performed together since childhood including a Red Rocks performance in Colorado last year. Two or three have hit the stage in other shows, like when Damian and Stephen performed at the Hollywood Bowl last month.

Julian said years of collaboration have fostered a deep musical synergy between his siblings — a natural extension of their shared lineage.

“His message goes beyond barriers. It breaks down barriers,” Julian said. “No matter which country you go to, the people need the same message. That's why this is so everlasting. Never ending. That is the reason we are here and doing this mission.”

Marley rose from the gritty Kingston, Jamaica, slum of Trench Town to reach superstar status in the 1970s with hits such as “Get Up, Stand Up” and “I Shot the Sheriff.” His lyrics promoting social justice and African unity made him a global icon before he died from cancer in 1981 at age 36.

But Marley’s legacy has lived on through several projects including an immersive exhibit in New York and his biopic “Bob Marley: One Love,” which debuted No. 1 at the box office in February.

On Sunday, the brothers were presented a proclamation that declared Sept. 22 as “Marley Brothers Day” in the Queens borough of New York.

His sons have upheld their father’s heritage while forging their own successful paths including Julian — who won his first-ever Grammy in February.

Ziggy and Stephen have each won eight Grammys; Damian has taken home five trophies and Ky-Mani has received a nomination.

Along with the tour, Stephen said they are looking to work on a new album together and push their father's message of positivity forward. He said it'll take some time but they aspire to get it “done in the near future.”

“The message in the music is what it's really all about,” said Stephen, who curated the tour's setlist. “For me, that message is so necessary now. Our father is one of those powerful ones that got this message across. That's why we're here.”

Damian Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Damian Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Ziggy Marley, from left, Julian Marley, Borough President of Queens, Donovan Richards Jr., Ky-Mani Marley, Damian Marley and Stephen Marley pose for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. Richards presented the brothers with a proclamation establishing Sept. 22 as "Marley Brothers Day" in Queens. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Stephen Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Ky-Mani Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Ziggy Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Ky-Mani Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Stephen Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Julian Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Ziggy Marley poses for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

Ziggy Marley, from left, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Damian Marley and Stephen Marley pose for a portrait on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Liberty have been focused on bringing the first championship to the franchise after falling just short last year.

They moved one step closer to that goal as Sabrina Ionescu tied a franchise playoff record with 36 points to help the Liberty beat the Atlanta Dream 91-82 on Tuesday night and advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

“The ultimate goal is what it is. But, you know, it’s every single game is a championship game to get to that final goal,” Ionescu said. “And obviously our goal is to not lose at home. So this was really important for us to come out, take these two and have a couple days off and kind of rest, recharge and get ready for whatever it is we’re going to play.”

Jonquel Jones added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the top-seeded Liberty, who swept the best-of-three series and will face either Las Vegas or Seattle in the next round that begins Sunday in New York. The Aces beat the Liberty in the WNBA Finals last season.

“We have unfinished business,” Jones said.

The Liberty took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter and the teams went back and forth before a layup by Courtney Vandersloot made it 75-72 with 5:41 left and started a 12-2 run. Breanna Stewart followed later in the spurt by swooping in for an offensive tip-in. It was her first points since the second quarter.

Leonie Fiebich, who scored 21 points in the opening game, then had a three-point play to extend the advantage to 82-74 with 4:11 left. She then hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to give New York a double-digit advantage for the first time in the game.

“It had a little bit of everything,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said of the run.

Atlanta couldn't get closer than seven the rest of the way.

“I don’t think it was anything they did different,” Rhyne Howard said of New York's stretch run. “We fought pretty hard, laid it out there. Coach told us to not go home with any regrets and we did that.”

Allisha Gray and Howard did all they could to try and stave off elimination. Gray finished with 26 points and Howard added 19. She also had a massive block on Stewart on a fast break in the third quarter.

“We watched it four or five times before we came in here (to the postgame presser),” Howard said smiling.

Stewart was impressed with the play by Howard

“She timed it really well,” the Liberty star said. “She got the block. I got the win.”

Unlike Game 1, when New York jumped all over Atlanta, the Dream got off to a quick start behind Gray. They led 28-19 as Gray had 14 points in the opening 10 minutes, hitting all five of her shots, including four 3-pointers.

Atlanta was up 11 in the second quarter before Ionescu started hitting deep 3s. She rallied the Liberty to take a brief 40-36 lead before the Dream closed the half on a 12-3 run to go up 48-43 at the break.

Ionescu tied Cappie Pondexter for the most points by a Liberty player in the postseason. Pondexter set the mark in 2010 also against the Dream.

“I guess I should have had one more,” Ionescu said, laughing.

The game drew another sellout crowd for New York that included Olympian Gabby Thomas, singer Pharrell as well as Spike Lee and Whoopi Goldberg. Rapper Ja Rule performed at halftime.

Ionescu said she got a high five from Lee during the third quarter.

“I felt like New York was injected into me. I was like, we’re winning this,” Ionescu said.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket between Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) and Tina Charles during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) high-fives Breanna Stewart, right, as Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) looks on while Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray ducks away during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray drives past New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half of first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts with Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Atlanta Dream, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the New York Liberty, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives past Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts with Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Atlanta Dream, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)