By: Brittany Somerset, Intrepid Reporter
Vincent Ford, the songwriter credited with composing the Bob Marley roots reggae classic “No Woman, No Cry” has died in a hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. He was 68. Ford died from complications caused by diabetes and lost both his legs to the disease, said a spokesman for the Bob Marley Foundation.
His smash hit appeared on Marley’s 1974 Natty Dread album. Ford is also credited with three songs on Marley’s 1976 album Rastaman Vibration.
“Positive Vibration” (Vincent Ford) – 3:33
“Roots, Rock, Reggae” (Vincent Ford) – 3:38
“Crazy Baldhead” (Rita Marley/Vincent Ford) – 3:11
While Marley remains the most world renowned, revered performer of reggae music, and is credited for helping spread Jamaican music on a global scale, Ford lived in relative obscurity until his death. Both Marley and Ford were friends who lived in the Trench Town ghetto in Kingston in the 1960s. Some detractors claim Marley wrote No Woman No Cry himself, for his wife Rita, but gave Ford the songwriting credit to help his friend support himself with the song’s royalties. He is also credited as the writer for “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” which appeared on the soundtrack to the 2003 J.Lo and Affleck, AKA “Bennifer” bomb flic “Gigli.” Vincent Ford also dabbled in acting, appearing as a team captain in the 1986 movie, “FDR: A One Man Show.”
