Jamaica was in political turmoil in 1976, 50 years ago. The socialist government of prime minister Michael Manley — popular with the Afro-conscious but scorned by the middle and upper-class — called a State of Emergency in June to quell gang violence. Several of his opponents, including the Jamaica Labour Party’s Olivia Grange and Pearnel Charles were jailed. An election was held in December, days after reggae star Bob Marley was shot at his St Andrew home, and just three days before the Smile Jamaica peace concert took place at National Heroes Park in Central Kingston. 1976 was not just about politics. Sprinter Donald Quarrie won a gold medal at the Montreal Olympics, while fast-bowler Michael Holding bowled the West Indies to a comprehensive victory over England at The Oval in London. Musically, Marley and his Wailers released the impressive Rastaman Vibration album. There were also landmark albums from Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Today, Observer Online launches a look at events that made 1976 such a tumultuous, but fruitful period in post-Independence Jamaica.

Heading into the final of the 1976 Festival Song Competition, Freddie McKay was one of the favourites with Dance dis Ya Festival. Produced by Joseph “Jo Jo” Hoo Kim, it justified the pre-contest hype, edging All Night Till Daylight by Jacob Miller.

Fifty years later, Dance dis Ya Festival still gets the blood pumping. McKay’s, ‘I need a big heel boot and a bellfoot pants fi guh dance dis ya Festival’ is one of the most memorable lines in Festival lore.