Third World had discussed performing a 45th anniversary show at The Casino at Dania Beach in South Florida for some time. That event finally took place last Friday and the gamble paid off.

Now in their 46th year, the band gave an outstanding performance, complemented by solid cameos from The Resolvers, Kaushion, Pluto Shervington and Diana King. They also honoured 12 persons who have been part of their impressive history, which started in Kingston in 1973.

Guitarist and co-founder Stephen “Cat” Coore savoured the occasion backstage amid a throng of well-wishers. He is thankful Third World is still touring and have a much-anticipated new album scheduled for release next month.

The new set is produced by Damian “Junior Gong” Marley and includes Loving You is Easy, which they did Friday, and a cover of The Abyssinians’ Y Mas Gan. Coore is pleased with the album, but scoffs at talk of it producing Third World’s first hit song in years.

“Mi nuh really business wid dat. Third World has done so much, at this point it’s just more music and more love,” he said.

Accompanied by original lead singer Prilly Hamilton, the band performed the classics to a packed hall of fans who ably ‘complemented’ lead singer A J Brown. They were in good voice on Now That We Found Love, Reggae Ambassador, Forbidden Love, Sense of Purpose, Roots With Quality, Ride On, Moving Up and Try Jah Love, which closed the evening.

Shervington was a hit with the mostly mature crowd, performing easy listening standards from the 1970s — Ram Goat Liver, That Thing There and I Man Born Yah. The talented King’s pristine vocals wowed fans on Say A Little Prayer and Shy Guy .

Hamilton and Carl Barovier, Third World’s first drummer, were among the event’s honorees. Barovier, who lives in Rhode Island, said the award “means a lot. It shows that after all these years I still mean something to the band”.

Prior to Third World, Hamilton, Coore and co-founder (keyboardist) Ibo Cooper were members of Inner Circle. He sang on their self-titled debut album in 1976 before leaving that year.

He had good words for his colleagues.

“Third World was always a good product, and those early hit songs set the pace for where they are today,” he said.

Former Manager Alan Sturdy and long-time attorney Paul Beswick were also honoured.