Who shot Bob Marley? Bob Marley: One Love is releasing in theaters this Valentine's Day and many of his fans are well aware of the home invasion that took place in 1976 and the assassination attempt the Reggae icon survived.
Starring Secret Invasion and Barbie's Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, Paramount Pictures depicts Bob Marley's life on the big screen this February. Keep reading to find out more.
Who Shot Bob Marley in the 1976 Assassination Attempt?
One of the most popular and polarizing Reggae artists Bob Marley nearly lost his life one fateful night in December 1976.
Marley, who at the time was living his life as a global music icon was targeted by seven men who broke into his house to gun him down.
See, during the mid-1970s, political tensions arose in Jamaica since the elections between the conservative Jamaican Labour Party (JLP), and the social democratic People's National Party (PNP), both of which were supported by the Jamaican singer.
While Marley remained neutral in the political climate, many appeared to have viewed him as a main supporter of Prime Minister Michael Manley and the PNP, which led to the night of his supposed assassination.
Marley miraculously survived the gunmen despite getting shot in the arm while the other "skidded off his chest". While his wife got shot in the head, she still survived the hit.
His manager Taylor, on the other hand, suffered a more serious shot in his leg. Nevertheless, the victims were rushed to the hospital and made it out alive after the incident.
According to the Marley and Me: The Real Bob Marley Story written by his manager Don Taylor, the assassination attempt was ordered by the CIA in exchange for the seven men's cocaine and guns.
Timothy White, another writer who wrote Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley, claimed that Lester Coke aka Jim Brown led the assassination and that a JLP gunman named Carl Byah "Mitchell" organized the Marley shooting after being contracted by the CIA.
READ MORE: Who is Emma Canning from Masters of the Air? Meet the Actress Who Plays Helen
What is Bob Marley: One Love About?
It is worth mentioning that Bob Marley: One Love is not the first project to be centered on the legendary musician.
In the past, there had been Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend and Bob Marley Legend Documentary, to name a few, which begs the question, how will Bob Marley: One Love be any different from the rest?
According to the film director Reinaldo Marcus Green, they decided to focus on the 1976 incident, as he told Screen Rant.
"...what happened to Bob was crazy. They went after him and they almost got him. They almost got Rita." Green said, "But instead of running away, what did he do? He doubled down. He created Exodus, arguably the greatest album of the 20th century."
Check out the official synopsis for Bob Marley: One Love below:
BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob's powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.
Bob Marley: One Love is set to premiere in theatres on February 14.
READ NEXT: True Detective Fans Think Hank Committed 'Suicide by Cop': Theory Explained
Check out our official Facebook page for more news coverage and other explainer articles! Check out more right here on Epicstream.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!