Smile Jamaica Concert: This Day In Jamaican History
It was on this day in 1973 that the politically charged, Smile Jamaica Concert was held in National Heroes Park in Kingston, JA. Some of the performers included Peter Tosh, Third World, and Burning Spear as well as Bob Marley and The Wailers. It was considered to be a political event supporting the People’s National Party, after the PNP moved elections up to practically coincide with the event. As a result, the concert was marred by a negative stigma and ultimately violence before it even began. There was an assassination attempt on the lives of Bob Marley and his wife two days before the event that almost caused them to pull out from performing and many other artist didn’t perform. Below is a video clip done by MTV exploring the political motivations behind the concert and the assassination attempt on Bob and Rita’s lives featuring Rita Marley, her children, and family friend, Neville Garrick. I also included a video of Bob Marley and The Wailers performing at Smile Jamaica.
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