Thousands of people of all ages and races, packed the National Stadium on Saturday to be a part of the unprecedented tribute to reggae legend, the late Bob Marley.

The outdoor concert, put on by music promoter, Choy Aming, and featuring Marley's widow, Rita and their four children, was intially threatened by lingering rain clouds.

In fact, the talent-full opening local acts, which included comedian Bootsie and Justice, were interrupted for about 20 minutes by passing showers.

But it was the Marleys who prevailed and took the National Stadium by storm.

As they came on, rain clouds disappeared and a sea of people who were most important to the reggae king's life.

From Rita Marley's opening number, One Love, which she originally sang with her husband to Ziggy's rendition of his father's popular Buffalo Solider, the audience was on its feet, skanking swaying and singing to the pulsating music.

Rita, who has launched a solo career since her husband's death in 1981, performed one of Bob's greatest hits, No Woman, No Cry and also sang her own I Want to Get High.

As she graciously stepped offstage, she allowed her children to share the spotlight.

A 15-minute delay caused by problems with the sound system brought jeers from the crowd, who were anxious to hear and see the Marleys' talented foursome.

But their shouts of disapproval quickly subsided as Ziggy, bearing a strong resemblance to his father, appeared.

The high energy of Ziggy and the Melody Makers (Stephen, Cedella and Sharon) gave their all to the hungry audience which included some who flew in for the show from overseas.

In addition to performing a string of their hits, such as Tumblin Down, Look who's Dancin and Africans Unite, Ziggy and the Melody Makers honoured their father by giving their version of 1 shot the Sheriff and Stand Up For Your Rights.

They also performed one of their latest release, The Rat Trap, in which younger brother Stephen took over, to the audience's delight.

The audience, packed like sardines on the stadium field, demanded more as the group left after singing Look Who's Dancin.

Embracing his mother, Ziggy returned with her to the stage to sing Justice.

This was followed by Tomorrow's People.

A soccer enthusiast, like his father, Ziggy took out time to taunt the audience about Bermuda's role in the upcoming soccer matches against Jamaica.

He warned that Bermuda should beware of his country's national soccer team who recently defeated Trinidad and will play Bermuda on October 25 at the Stadium and on November 8 in Kingston, Jamaica in the 1994 World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

"Jamaica is coming for you, Bermuda,'' he shouted, after singing the last song, Buffalo Soldier, as a tribute to his father CAROL PARKER.