Bob Marley assassination attempt military headquarters. Reggae musician Bob Marley announced plans to hold a concert in an attempt to quell the violence. Politicians from both parties were hoping to capitalize on Marley's support. While Marley remained neutral, many viewed him as tacitly supporting Manley and the PNP. In 1972, Michael Manley assumed leadership under the People's National Party (PNP) as Prime Minister of Jamaica, where he maintained leadership until 1980. Upon entering office, the Democratic-Socialist prime minister immediately angered US officials by recognizing the Cuban government of Fidel Castro, nationalizing bauxite production, and recognizing the MPLA government of Angola, that was supported by
Bob Marley changed the name to the Wailing Rudeboys, then to the Wailing Wailers, at which point they were discovered by record producer Coxsone Dodd, and finally to the Wailers. Their single "Simmer Down" for the Coxsone label became a Jamaican #1 in February 1964 selling an estimated 70,000 copies. The Wailers, now regularly recording for Studio One, found themselves working with established Jamaican musicians such as Ernest Ranglin (arranger "It Hurts To Be Alone"), the keyboardist Jackie Mittoo and saxophonist Roland Alphonso. By 1966, Braithwaite, Kelso, and Smith had left the Wailers, leaving the core trio of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer,