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Dodd's Daughter Demands Apology Over Controversial 'Bob Marley: One Love' Scene

Morna Dodd, daughter of the late Studio One producer Clement ?Sir Coxsone? Dodd, has voiced strong objections to the portrayal of her father in the recently released film Bob Marley: One Love.

She particularly takes issue with a scene depicting Dodd, portrayed by Jamaican actor Jeff Crossley, as a gun-wielding ?badman? during an encounter with the teenage Wailers. Morna deems this portrayal as ?deeply offensive? and a significant distortion of her father?s true character. She is demanding an ?immediate public apology? from Paramount Pictures, Rita Marley, and the Marley family.

?The apology is necessary to rectify the depiction of my father to millions of viewers worldwide, portraying him as someone who would approach and threaten teenagers with a gun,? Morna expressed to DancehallMag.

?By cementing such an image in the minds of millions, the film's producers have erroneously suggested that Jamaican music was forged under the influence of violence. This misrepresentation is an injustice to my father?s legacy.? Coxsone Dodd, a pivotal figure in the evolution of Ska and Reggae during the 1950s and 1960s, fostered the careers of numerous Jamaican artists through Studio One. Among them were a youthful Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, who comprised The Wailers. The group's inaugural recording session with Dodd in 1964 yielded hits like Simmer Down, I Am Coming Home, and Do You Remember, followed by over 80 additional tracks until their parting in 1966. Dodd was renowned for his mentorship of young talent, many of whom found a home at his Brentford Road studio. ?Even Bob Marley resided at Brentford Road during his teenage years,? his daughter recalled.

?He played a paternal role to many youngsters. Studio One even established a platform dedicated to nurturing young artists. My father poured his heart into the music, reinvesting in the industry and cultivating his studio as a hub for aspiring musicians.?

Morna added: ?He is also credited as a paternal figure in the union between Bob & Rita Marley in February 1966. He purchased Bob Marley?s wedding attire.?

?It is deeply hurtful to see his memory tarnished in this manner,? she lamented to DancehallMag. Some speculate that the portrayal of Dodd in the film might have been influenced, for dramatic effect, by the colorful persona of Arthur ?Duke? Reid, another prominent Jamaican producer and label owner at the time. ?Duke had a penchant for firearms, possibly stemming from his tenure in law enforcement, and it's rumored that he was seldom without two pistols,? The Gleaner reported of Reid, who founded Treasure Isle Records.

Morna Dodd also raises concerns regarding One Love, the titular song inspiring the film, featured on its official soundtrack. ?This depiction could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to besmirch my father?s character to undermine his rightful credit for the publishing of this song,? Morna asserted.

She contends that the original 1965 ska rendition of the song, featured on The Wailers? debut album The Wailing Wailers, was produced by Studio One, with her father and Neville Livingston (Bunny Wailer) credited as co-writers alongside Bob Marley.

According to her, a dispute over publishing and credits arose with the more popular 1977 rendition, One Love/People Get Ready, included on the Exodus album. This version attributes credits to Marley and Curtis Mayfield due to its interpolation of The Impressions? song People Get Ready, penned by Mayfield.

?I have recently become aware of Alan Skill Cole claiming credit for the 1977 re-recording, as Bob Marley hesitated to do so, aware of the rightful ownership, wherein both my father and Neville Livingston are recognized as co-writers with Bob Marley. There was an attempt to coerce Neville Livingston aka Bunny Wailer in 1999 to relinquish his rights in a bid to diminish the original publisher?s ownership,? she alleged.

?My father passed away on May 4, 2004, and it?s noteworthy that in 2007, the Recording Academy of America inducted his 1965 version of One Love into their Hall of Fame, accrediting both him and The Wailing Wailers. This is significant as it favored the original over the now-popular 1977 rendition.?

Paramount Pictures and Tuff Gong?s Bob Marley: One Love has shattered records since its Valentine?s Day release.

The biopic, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch as Bob and Rita Marley, now ranks as the sixth highest-grossing music biopic, according to Screen Rant. As of March 3, 2024, it has amassed $82.8 million in the United States and Canada, and $63.3 million internationally, for a global total of $146.1 million.

Image source: Google