WESTERN BUREAU: FANS OF Bob Marley started to gather Friday at MXIII, Negril, for three days of music and football in celebration of the reggae icon's 55th birthday.

On Friday night, Toots Hibbert and Freddie McGregor rescued the festival when headliner Barrington Levy spurned the show after reportedly not receiving an advance in payment and Luciano missed his flight from Gambia.

"Freddie was not booked for the show, but he had to be brought in to compensate for the two acts not here tonight," said promoter Kubba Pringle.

Toots, attired in green, gold, black and red, gave an inspirational 90-minute performance. His fancy foot movements and easy onstage manner induced the audience into a loud sing-along. Once during the performance he had more than 12 visitors and locals dancing on stage with him.

On Saturday night, hordes of flag-waving Bobo dreads, rent-a-dreads, visitors and locals converged on the show venue, toting an arsenal of firecrackers, hazardous aerosol sprays, lighters, Rasta-coloured flags and high-grade ganja.

They came to see Capleton, but were treated to some outstanding performances along the way.

Coco T spent more than 60 minutes on stage and gave an outstanding performance. When he belted out the first few words of 'Rykers Island', he had to 'wheel and come again'.

One of the more compelling segments of his act was his 'chanting down' rent-a-dreads, which saw him stepping on the corns of some members of the audience. He then did a stint with Everton Blender.

Lady G and Jimmy Riley, as well as nine-year-old Jahmali and David, 10, from the Capleton camp all gave special treats.

Capleton closed the show with an incendiary performance that rained down fire, brimstone, hail and plagues on the heads of homosexuals, harlots and hypocrites.

Yesterday, was dubbed a 'Fun Day' featuring a number of six-a-side football matches and entertainment by Innocent Crew and Hawkeye. Football was Bob Marley's favourite sport.