20 Photos Of What Jamaica Looked Like In The 1970s

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 02/07/2025 in wow

Jamaica in the 1970s was a place where strong cultural moments inspired political change, culminating in 1976's Smile Jamaica Concert, before which Bob Marley was shot.

Additionally, '70s Jamaica was a hot spot for American tourism, and its star power gave the island force on the world stage.

Here are 20 photos of what life in Jamaica looked like in the 1970s.

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1. Bob Marley Playing Soccer
Jamaica, 1977.
2. Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen
Taking a break from filming “Papillon” in Jamaica, 1972.
3. Sunday Morning Bike Ride
Negril, Jamaica early 1970s. Photo by Robin Farquharison.
4. “My Dad and Uncle”
In Jamaica around 1970.
5. Jimmy Cliff
In Kingston, Jamaica, 1970.
6. Bob Marley and Michael Jackson
In Jamaica, 1975.
7. Sunbathing
Two American tourists.
8. Workers at the Play Boy Club
Jamaica, February 1971.
9. Look at the Size of That Thing!
A man on a motorcycle, Jamaica, 1975.
10. Little Boy
Well dressed, Jamaica, 1970s.
11. Carrying a Happy Kid
The Play Boy Club, 1970s.
12. Ready for School
Two kids in Pembroke Hall, 1970.
13. Negril in the 1970s
Photo by Robin Farquharison.
14. Man on Vacation
Jamaica, 1970.
15. Alex Trebek
Vacationing in Jamaica back in the 1970s.
16. Bob Marley and The Wailers
Performing in Kingston, April 22nd, 1978.
17. VP Harris and Her Cousins as Children
Jamaica in 1972.
18. Lee "Scratch" Perry
Black Ark Studio, Jamaica, 1974.
19. Lee "Scratch" Perry
At his studio, continued. 1976.
20. Bob Marley Playing soccer at 56
Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica, 1978.

1. Bob Marley Playing Soccer
Jamaica, 1977.
2. Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen
Taking a break from filming “Papillon” in Jamaica, 1972.
3. Sunday Morning Bike Ride
Negril, Jamaica early 1970s. Photo by Robin Farquharison.
4. “My Dad and Uncle”
In Jamaica around 1970.
5. Jimmy Cliff
In Kingston, Jamaica, 1970.
6. Bob Marley and Michael Jackson
In Jamaica, 1975.
7. Sunbathing
Two American tourists.
8. Workers at the Play Boy Club
Jamaica, February 1971.
9. Look at the Size of That Thing!
A man on a motorcycle, Jamaica, 1975.
10. Little Boy
Well dressed, Jamaica, 1970s.
11. Carrying a Happy Kid
The Play Boy Club, 1970s.
12. Ready for School
Two kids in Pembroke Hall, 1970.
13. Negril in the 1970s
Photo by Robin Farquharison.
14. Man on Vacation
Jamaica, 1970.
15. Alex Trebek
Vacationing in Jamaica back in the 1970s.
16. Bob Marley and The Wailers
Performing in Kingston, April 22nd, 1978.
17. VP Harris and Her Cousins as Children
Jamaica in 1972.
18. Lee "Scratch" Perry
Black Ark Studio, Jamaica, 1974.
19. Lee "Scratch" Perry
At his studio, continued. 1976.
20. Bob Marley Playing soccer at 56
Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica, 1978.