Bob Marley returned to Jamaica for the One Love Peace Concert #Historical

April 22, 1978: #BobMarley returns to Jamaica for the One Love Peace Concert! #todayinbobslife

——The Backstory——
During a 14-month, self-imposed exile following an assassination attempt on his life, Bob meets with Jamaica’s leading political enforcers to help end the violence that has devastated Kingston and elsewhere. A truce has been made by those at the top, realizing that the gangs are being used by the island’s ruling class to serve their own interests. But they need an historic moment for that truce to reach the youths on the streets. They need music. They need Bob.

He agrees to perform, and returns to Jamaica on February 25th, 1978. When asked by press what he hopes to accomplish, he tells them, “The world will be watching, since them gonna follow the example we set. When we come together the whole world gonna look and say, ‘It can be done’.”

——The Concert——
On stage, in a moment of improvised inspiration during “Jamming”, Bob calls on political party heads Michael Manley and Edward Seaga to come on stage and shake hands in a showing of unity. They hesitantly agree, and Bob holds their hands together over his head as if to say, ‘these are the people you’ve fighting over. If they can come together, so can you.’

——The Result——
After the event, there is a period of peace across the island. Bob is honored with the United Nations Peace Medal Of The Third World for his efforts. A year later, as 60 Minutes Australia comes to Jamaica for a piece on Bob and the situation, one local notes to the journalist, “You see that street over there? Two years ago, I couldn’t walk down that street. Now, I probably still wouldn’t, but I can.”

There have been very few times in music history where a song or an event has had such a significant impact on an entire nation. It goes to show Bob’s influence, determination, and love for the people. And so we celebrate April 22nd as an historic day in Jamaican, Marley and music history. ONE LOVE ☝🏾❤️

*Learn more about this incredible story from the @onelovemovie, in theatres and streaming at home now at the link in bio.