'No Woman, No Cry' songwriter Vincent Ford dies

by Blue Crush | January 1, 2009 at 10:40 am
585 views | 26 Recommendations | 8 comments

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Kingston, Jamaica - Vincent Ford, a songwriter credited with composing the Bob Marley reggae classic "No Woman, No Cry," has died in Jamaica at 68 from complications of diabetes.  He's also been credited with Marley's "Positive Vibration" tune.

The song, which appeared on Marley's 1974 "Natty Dread" album, was inspired by the Kingston ghetto of Trench Town where Marley and Ford lived in the 1960s.

Ford is credited with the tune. However, some critics contend that Marley wrote it himself but gave Ford the credit to help his friend support himself with the royalties.  Ford, who ran a soup kitchen and lost both his legs to diabetes, is also credited with three songs on Marley's 1976 album "Rastaman Vibration."

Marley died of cancer in Miami in 1981 and remains one of the islands most beloved national heroes.

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generaldecay

Oh, I thought it was Marley's own composition. There you go. Great song.

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Paschen

Both great song and Marley sure did them justice in his interpretation.

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RoryKearney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u2GpQzEu3Y

no woman no cry

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tyfn

I grew up eating cornmeal porridge and it always reminds me of home when I hear this song.

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danesller0127

Fan of Bob Marley, and I love 'Reggae' music... Thanks for the news!  :D

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Blue Crush

Both TimesOnline & JamaicaObserver have good write ups on him.

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patgarcia

I think that song is worldwide known, it is one of my favorites. Thanks for posting about the author.

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Blue Crush

That's what I was thinking, Pat, we've got six countries posted above, already.  Worldwide & Timeless!

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Paschen
First Flagged at 11:13 AM, Jan 1, 2009 by Paschen
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