Songwriter Behind Bob Marley Classic Dies

• 5th Jan 2009

The songwriter behind the Bob Marley classic 'No Woman, No Cry' has died in Jamaica aged 68. Vincent Ford lost a long battle to diabetes.

There has been much debate regarding the penning of 'No Woman, No Cry', which first appeared on Marley's 1974 album 'Natty Dread'. Ford, a long time friend of Marley's, is credited alone, though many think Marley actually wrote at least the melody. They argue the reggae legend let his friend, already disabled by diabetes, have the full credit so to give him a guaranteed income. Ford is also credited on three songs on Marley's 1976 album 'Rastaman Vibration'.

Royalties from the songs not only helped support Ford, but also the soup kitchen he founded and ran in the Trench Town ghetto in Kingston, a facility that still operates today. Ford is survived by two children.