Bob Marley stayed true to the theme of the 'One Love Concert For Peace'  held at the National Stadium. With thousands of persons in attendance, he brought the political leaders on stage as a demonstration of unity.

Published Monday, April 24, 1978

Love, peace and togetherness

LOVE, PEACE and Togetherness … was demonstrated last Saturday evening by the estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people who turned out for the 'One Love Concert For Peace' at the National Stadium, highlighted by the coming together in true brotherly fashion of Prime Minister Michael Manley, and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, in a warm embrace on stage.

Bob Marley, Jamaica’s international reggae star who headlined the concert, called for both leaders to come onto the stage. They accepted and, with the singing by Bob Marley and the Wailers of One  Love, Manley and Seaga held hands and joined in the singing with members of the Peace Council.

Before the start of the concert, there was an interlude of poetry reading. Contributors to this period included Orlando Wong, who recited some of his poems. A letter with greetings from the brothers and sisters in the General Penitentiary was read.

Starting promptly at 5 p.m., the concert began on the stage set several feet high, with a colourful mural in the background in the red, green and gold colours of the Rastafari Movement forming an arch, a golden crown on a skyline of blue and white, and the black, green and gold colours of the Jamaica flag.

The bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jamaica, Archimendrite Abba L. Mandefro, said prayers and then Neville Willoughby, one of the two emcees – Errol Thompson being the other – welcomed the audience which included many representatives of the foreign press from as far away as Italy, France, England, Canada and Ethiopia; and people in the entertainment world, including Chris Blackwell of Island Records.

It was 1:30 a.m. when Bob Marley and the Wailers with the I Threes performed to a fantastic welcome.

Bob began with Lion of Judah and then moved into Natural Mystic, Trench Town Rock, Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibrations, War, Jammin’. It was during the singing of Jammin’ that he invited Manley and Seaga to the stage.

It was really a touching moment as both leaders held hands and embraced and then formed a ring on stage with Peace Council members and did a little jig.

Bob Marley ended the show with Jah Lives, during which his two sons danced while he sang.

As the crowd left the stadium, there were praises for all the artistes, the good behaviour displayed, promptness at the start and the commendable effort by the Peace Council in assisting the security forces in maintaining order. It was truly an evening enjoyed, and high praises to all concerned.

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