Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh (October 9, 1944 – September 11, 1987) was a pioneer reggae musician. A militant, well-read, trailblazing and sometimes bitter Rastafarian, his persona was the "Malcolm X" in reflection to his former bandmate Bob Marley's "Martin Luther King, Jr.".

Solo career

Tosh became bitter with his ex-bandmate, claiming that the only reason Marley was so successful was that his father was white, although it should be noted that Peter was known for having a big mouth and was not always to be taken too seriously in his pronouncements. Many biographies focusing on members of the Wailers relate a specific incident where several people alleged that Tosh became enraged upon hearing that Marley was seeing a well known white woman in Kingston. He talked big and threatened both physical violence and damnation and hellfire for his friend, vowing to track him down and take him to task. Later that day Bob casually walked into a room where Peter was relaxing with some of their mutual friends but mysteriously McIntosh seemed happy to see him and made no mention of any misgivings about the controversial relationship. When Marley was eventually told the whole story he allegedly laughed and responded: "Petah? Fussin'? You don't say!" - suggesting like many other sources that some of Tosh's personal relationships were stormy and complicated but not necessarily mean spirited.

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McIntosh began recording under the name Peter Tosh, and released his solo debut, Legalize It, in 1976 on CBS Records. The title track soon became an anthem for the marijuana movement and was a favorite at Tosh's concerts. As Marley preached his "One Love" message, Tosh railed against the hypocritical "shitstem," and became a favorite target of the Jamaican police. He proudly wore his scars that he had received from the beatings he endured. Always taking the militant approach, he released Equal Rights in 1977. His lyric "I don't want no peace, I want equal rights and justice!" would become a rallying cry for the world's downtrodden masses.

Related Topics:
Legalize It - 1976 - CBS Records - Anthem - 1977

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Bush Doctor (1978), Mystic Man (1979), and ' followed. Released on the Rolling Stones' personal label, Tosh tried to gain some mainstream success while keeping his militant views, but was largely unsuccessful, especially compared to Marley's achievements. After the release of 1983's Mama Africa, Tosh went into self-imposed exile, seeking the spiritual advice of traditional medicine men in Africa, and trying to free himself from recording agreements that distributed his records in South Africa.

Related Topics:
Bush Doctor - 1978 - Mystic Man - 1979 - 1983 - Mama Africa - South Africa

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He was awarded the Grammy for Best Reggae Performance in 1987 for "No Nuclear War". Tosh was in the beginning of an entire restructuring of his career when, shortly after the release of his 1987 album, No Nuclear War, Tosh was murdered at his own home during a burglary. He died on September 11, 1987. Only one of the three assassins was caught. One of Tosh's personal friends was sentenced to hang following the murder trial.

Related Topics:
1987 - No Nuclear War - September 11

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