4. In December 1976, two days before Smile Jamaica, a free concert organised by the Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in an attempt to ease tension between two warring political groups, Marley his wife, and manager Don Taylor were wounded in an assault by unknown gunmen inside Marley’s home.
The attempt on his life was thought to have been politically motivated, as many felt the concert was really a support rally for Manley.
Nonetheless, the concert proceeded and an injured Marley performed as scheduled, two days after the attempt. When asked why, Marley responded, “The people who are trying to make this world worse aren’t taking a day off. How can I?”
