Smile Jamaica > One Love Peace Concert, 1976-1978

The concert was conceived in spring of 1976 by Bob–and facilitated by the Cultural Section of the Prime Minister's Office–to be a free concert for the people of Jamaica.

In a time of great political turmoil, often resulting in violence, the government called a snap election for 10 days after the concert. In doing so, it made the show appear as a political rally, resulting in gunmen coming to Bob's home and shooting up the place to the stop the event on December 3, 1976.

On December 5, 1976 (just two days after the shooting), in an act of bold defiance, Bob performed as scheduled in front of 80,000 people at National Heroes Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

In late 1977, having come to an understanding for the benefit of their communities, rival neighborhood leaders all came together to London to convince Bob to perform a concert in Jamaica to solidify this newly-achieved peace. He agreed and planned for the One Love Peace Concert.

After soundcheck–the day prior to the concert–Bob hosted the media at 56 Hope Road (his home and band headquarters). He told reporters, "The world will be watching, since them gonna follow the example we set. When we come together the whole world gonna look and seh, ‘It can be done.’”

On April 22, 1978, Bob headlined the One Love Peace Concert at the National Stadium in Kingston. It was a moment that literally shook the foundation of a nation.

During the band's performance of "Jamming," Bob called up the heads of the rival political parties in Jamaica on stage and shook their hands in a showing of unity. It sent a message to the people of Jamaica and beyond: "Puss and dog they get together. What's wrong with loving one another?"