Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
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FBI Catalogue Music
FBI preliminary tape identification note: None
Date cues on tape: None
People named: None
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
This tape is an undated live performance of the Jonestown band.
An unidentified woman sings numerous songs, including “Summertime,” “You Are So Beautiful,” and an adaptation of “Abraham, Martin and John.”
Peoples Temple periodically altered lyrics of both church hymns and popular songs to reflect the group’s political beliefs. In this instance – as in other tapes with the same song – the band changed the lyrics of the song “Abraham, Martin and John” to include homages to Che Guevara and Guyanese slave Cuffy, as well as the song’s original reference to Martin Luther King.
While the woman singer does not identify herself, it is likely Diane Wilkerson or Marthea Hicks.
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription: 6/18/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On June 2, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B93-76. This tape was found to contain the following:
A recording of a live performance by a black female singer.
Differences with FBI Summary:
The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.
Tape originally posted May 2016