Did Bob Marley Forgive the Person Who Tried Assassinating Him?

Bob Marley’s latest biopic, ‘Bob Marley: One Love,’ is shining a spotlight on the harrowing events of December 1976 when the reggae legend narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.

The film, featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir in the role of the iconic musician, delves into the moments leading up to the attack, where seven armed men stormed Marley’s rehearsal session, targeting him, his wife Rita, and members of his band. According to production notes for ‘One Love,’ Rita (played by Lashana Lynch), Bob, his manager Don Taylor and band assistant Louis Griffiths were all wounded during the shooting.

Also Read: ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Review: A Reverent Yet Uninspired Biopic of Reggae Royalty

Despite the ordeal, Bob, Rita and the other victims survived. Remarkably, they were released from the hospital just in time for Bob to perform at the Smile Jamaica concert merely two days later, on 5th December 1976. The film captures Marley revealing his wounds to the audience following his courageous performance at the concert.

‘One Love’ also portrays one of the assailants present at the concert, who later seeks forgiveness from Marley at his home. The poignant scene culminates with Marley accepting the gunman’s apology before he and his band take the stage at the One Love concert on 22nd April 1978.

Matt Jenson, a professor at Berklee College of Music, acknowledged the artistic liberties taken by the movie in a recent Time magazine article. He noted that while Marley never identified the attackers, he was aware of their identities.

The film benefited from input from Neville Garrick, Marley’s close friend and art director, who served as a historical advisor. Garrick, who passed away in November 2023, accompanied Marley to Nassau in the Bahamas following the assassination attempt, providing invaluable insights into the events.

Kingsley Ben-Adir, who portrayed Marley in the film, praised Garrick’s contribution, recalling how Garrick shared intimate details about Marley’s demeanour during the tumultuous moments before the attack. “He was juggling grapefruits. He was showing off,” Ben-Adir revealed, reflecting on Garrick’s invaluable guidance during the production.

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is a gripping portrayal of one of the most pivotal moments in Marley’s life, shedding light on his resilience and forgiveness amidst adversity.