The Wonder Dream Concert held on October 4, 1975 at Kingston’s National Stadium was one of three events on the Holiday Jamaica package scheduled from September 29, 1975 through October 5, 1975. The concert was a benefit for the Jamaican Institute for the Blind and featured Third World as the opening act. Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes were scheduled to play but did not show.

Third World, just back from a tour of the UK, opened their set with “Crying On The Rail Road Track” and followed with popular favorites “Sun Won’t Shine,” “Satta Massagana,” and “Slavery Days.”

The concert is often referred to as the Wailers Reunion Show, as it was the first time the original Wailers trio performed together since 1974. It is the last time that all three founding members appeared live on-stage together.

The Wailers and the I-Three kick off their set with “Rastaman Chant” and perform spirited renditions of “Nice Time,” “Simmer Down,” and “One Love” before each member performs several tunes of their own.

Bunny Wailer, who had officially left the group the year before, stuns the crowd with a performance of “Dreamland” (“Place Called Africa”) followed by the classic “Battering Down Sentence.” Peter Tosh performs “Mark of the Beast,” “Can’t Blame The Youth,” and wows the audience with his first live performance of “Legalize It.”

Bob Marley wrapped up the Wailers’ set with fiery performances of “So Jah Seh,” “No Woman, No Cry,” and “Jah Live.”

The Wailers join Stevie Wonder on-stage for his encore to perform “I Shot The Sheriff” and “Superstition.” Stevie Wonder then presented a check for $23,000 to the Salvation Army.

Marley meets Wonder. A ‘Dream‘ Concert.

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I have included four articles from the Jamaica Gleaner, the islands leading newspaper. These articles profile the Wonder Dream Concert over several weeks leading up to the show on October 4, 1975.

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© Kim Gottlieb-Walker, www.lenswoman.com, all rights reserved. From her book “Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae, 1975-76, the Photographs of Kim Gottlieb-Walker

© Kim Gottlieb-Walker, www.lenswoman.com, all rights reserved. From her book “Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae, 1975-76, the Photographs of Kim Gottlieb-Walker”

© Kim Gottlieb-Walker, www.lenswoman.com, all rights reserved. From her book “Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae, 1975-76, the Photographs of Kim Gottlieb-Walker”