Bob Marley Biography

Home > Music > Bob Marley and the Wailers > Biography - Assassination Attempt

stripe

Assassination Attempt and Subsequent Exile

Bob Marley and the Wailers were due to headline at the "Smile Jamaica" concert at the National Heroes Park in Kingston. However, disaster struck on 3 December as gunmen attempted to assassinate Marley whilst he was at home. Bob, Rita and their manager (Lewis Griffiths) and friend Don Taylor were all hit but survived the attack. Bob was hit in the arm and Rita in the head. The attack was believed to be politically motivated as the concert was perceived to be support of the leader of the Peoples National Party (PNP), Michael Manley.

After resting in the Blue Mountains for two days the band went ahead and played the concert. Bob unable to play the guitar and Rita's head bandaged. After the show the band moved to England and spent 18 months in exile.

Whilst in England the Band recorded Exodus, Bob Marley's most critically acclaimed album (Time magazine declared this to be their Album of the Century). During a European tour to promote Exodus, Bob was diagnosed as having a cancerous growth on his toe. He didn't want this to be made public so it was announced that he had sustained an injury whilst playing football. The tour was cancelled when cancer was diagnosed. Marley could have been cured by allowing doctors to amputate his toe but he rejected the idea of this surgery as it would contradict his Rastafarian principles.

In 1978 the band released Kaya. They were accused of selling out as most of the tracks on this album were odes to love and ganga (both subjects being stereotypical of reggae music). However, as these were both important aspects of Marley's life so it is natural for them to be reflected in his song writing.

In April 1978 Bob Marley and the Wailers played at the One Love Peace Concert in Jamaica, where Michael Manley (Prime Minister of Jamaica and leader of the ruling PNP party) and Edward Seaga of the opposition JLP party were in attendance. Marley called them on stage and managed to get them to shake hands (somewhat reluctantly) On 15 June Marley was awarded the UN "Peace Medal of the Third World"

Previous: Bob Marley and the Wailers
Next: Marley Explores Africa


© 2006 Jamaica Travel and Culture .com

stripe

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional    Valid CSS!    email    Facebook Logo Share    delicious button   

Home  |  Destinations  |  Music  |  Jamaican Recipes  |  The Arts  |  Icons |  About Us |  Further Reading  |  Links  |  Search
Destinations
Kingston
Montego Bay
Negril
Ocho Rios
Port Antonio
More Destinations....
Music
Bob Marley
Sean Paul
Shaggy
Black Uhuru
Beenie Man
More Artists....
Jamaican Recipes
Jerk Chicken
Ackee and Saltfish
Rice and Peas
Beef Patties
Curry Chicken
More....
The Arts
The Harder They Come
Dancehall Queen
Power Game
Small Island
More....
Icons
Ackee
Jamaican Flag
Marcus Garvey
About Us
Further Reading
Links
Search
Bob Marley Biography
Early Years
First Recordings
First Big Contract
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Assasination Attempt
Africa
Farewell
Early Recordings
The Best of the Wailers
The Best of the Wailers
One Love at Studio One
One Love at Studio One
Destiny: Rare Ska Sides From Studio One
Destiny: Rare Ska Sides From Studio One
The Complete Upsetter Collection
The Complete Upsetter Collection
Studio Albums
Catch a Fire
Catch a Fire
Burnin'
Burnin'
Natty Dread
Natty Dread
Rastaman Vibration
Rastaman Vibration
Exodus
Exodus
Kaya
Kaya
Survival
Survival
Uprising
Uprising
Confrontation
Confrontation
Live Albums
Live at the Lyceum
Live at the Lyceum
Babylon By Bus
Babylon By Bus
Talkin' Blues
Talkin Blues
Live at the Roxy
Live at the Roxy
Noteworthy Compilations
Legend
Legend
Songs of Freedom
Songs of Freedom
Natural Mystic
Natural Mystic
Chant Down Babylon
Chant Down Babylon