Gov't Mule et Ziggy Marley

During breaks in the Allman Brothers Band’s touring and recording schedules, Warren Haynes and Allen Woody of the band, and Matt Abts of Dickey Betts, formed Gov’t Mule. Aiming to combine to be a psychedelic power trio of a similar ilk to The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, Haynes on guitar and vocals, Woody on bass and Abts on drums, Gov’t Mule released their self-titled debut in 1995.

The album was produced by Michael Barbiero and was followed by the live album “Live from Roseland Ballroom”, which highlights the band’s keen improvisation and jam style of performing. The follow-up studio album “Dose” released in 1998 was also produced by Barbiero, and exposed a number of the band’s influences including Neil Young, Traffic and Pearl Jam. The release was also followed by the first of two concert albums entitled “Live… with a Little Help from Our Friends”.

Following the release of their third album “Life Before Insanity” (2000), Allen Woody was found dead in New York City, U.S. The band went on a tribute tour titled “Smile at Half Mast Tour” alongside Ben Harper and released two tribute albums “Deep End, Volume 1” and “Deep End, Volume 2” using Woody’s favourite bass players, including Flea of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and John Entwistle of The Who.

Gov’t Mule’s first studio album since Woody’s death “Déjà Voodoo” featured Woody’s replacement Andy Hess and keyboardist Danny Louis, and despite the loss of the power trio, it was seen as Haynes’ best vocal performance. On top of their album releases Gov’t Mule were a regular on many North American festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa and New Orleans Jazzfest, with Haynes playing a number of solo shows in his Warren Haynes Band.

The band has continued to release studio albums every few years including 2006’s “High & Mighty” which reached No. 3 in the Billboard Indie chart, 2009’s “By a Thread” and 2013’s “Shout!”, which has been their highest charting album reaching No. 32 in the Billboard 200, and features a bonus disc with guest vocalists including Toots Hibbert and Elvis Costello.

Following in his famous father's footsteps, Ziggy made his recording debut alongside his siblings on Bob Marley's track "Children Playing in the Streets”. From an early age Ziggy had developed an interest in music as his father showed him the ropes and taught him the drums and guitars as he sat in mesmerised by studio sessions of The Wailers.

In 1979 along with his siblings Ziggy formed the Melody Makers who signed to EMI with Ziggy on lead vocals. They released their debut album "Play the Game" in 1985, produced by their mother which leaned towards a much poppier sound. After the lack of sales from their second release “Hey World” in 1986, the label wanted to market Ziggy as a solo artist but standing firm in belief they parted ways with EMI, moving to Virgin Records where they came to be known as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

With the new label on board the band released the album “Conscious Party” in 1988 which was a commercial success, making its way into the Top 40 US charts featuring the iconic track “Tomorrow People”. In 1989 the album received a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

As the nineties held little success for the band, Ziggy’s political voice became more apparent as he began working more with the United Nations after being recognised as their Goodwill Youth Ambassador. In 2002 alongside his brothers Ziggy started up Ghetto Youths Crew record label with the premise of helping under privileged youths in their daily struggle to survive.

Ziggy released his first solo album “Dragonfly” in 2003 which featured Flea and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chilli Peppers on the track “Rainbow in the Sky” and reached number three in Billboard’s top reggae albums. His second release “Love Is My Religion” in 2006 through his father’s label Tuff Gong Worldwide continued the success of his previous album and earned him another Grammy in 2007 for Best Reggae Album. It was the title track which saw Ziggy reach unprecedented heights as he blossomed into a worldwide star with his music the hitting airwaves.

Continuing his father’s namesake, Ziggy has continued building on the Marley legacy divulging into children’s author, philanthropist and musician.