Festival Founder Makeda Dread was a personal friend of Bob Marley and after he passed in 1981, Makeda created a tribute to Bob Marley Festival. The first Bob Marley Day was held at the International Blend on 30th Street and then moved the following years to the Jackie Robinson YMCA, Carpenters Hall, North Park Theatre and Adams Ave. Theatre. Over the years, the event's popularity increased and so WorldBeat Productions teamed up with Moss Jacobs, who brought his expertise and professionalism to bring the event to large capacity venues such as the San Diego Concourse (Golden Hall) and California Theatre. After reaching its capacity in these venues it was time to bring the team's hugely successful Bob Marley Day festival to the San Diego Sports Arena. After consistently selling out capacity shows for over 10 years, Bob Marley Day transformed into what it is now known as, Tribute to the Reggae Legends, in honor of all the great reggae artists that have passed throughout the years.

This year WorldBeat Productions has created the “Reggae Legends Hall of Fame” which is to be housed inside WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park. This Hall of Fame will honor the legacy of the Artists who are the Foundation of the Reggae Movement and are past and present without proper recognition. The following artists will be inducted into the “Legends Hall of Fame” at the 2014 Legends Festival: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Marvin, Jacob Miller, Mikey Dread, Lucky Dube, Don Carlos, Sly & Robbie, Horace Andy, Earl Zero, Sister Nancy and Willi Williams.