Early music and with the Wailers
Tosh was born in Westmoreland, the westernmost parish of Jamaica. He was abandoned by his parents and "shuffled among relatives". When McIntosh was fifteen, his aunt died and he moved to Trenchtown in Kingston, Jamaica. He first learned guitar after watching a man in the country play a song that captivated him. He watched the man play the same song for half a day, memorizing everything his fingers were doing. He then picked up the guitar and played the song back to the man. The man then asked McIntosh who had taught him to play; McIntosh told him that he had. During the early 1960s, as an aspiring musician, Tosh went to vocal teacher Joe Higgs, who gave free music lessons to young people. Through his contact with Higgs, Tosh met Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) and Neville O'Reilly Livingston (Bunny Wailer). He then changed his name to Peter Tosh and the trio started singing together in 1962. Higgs taught the trio to harmonise and while developing their music, they would often play on the street corners of Trenchtown.
In 1964 Tosh helped organise the band the Wailing Wailers, with Junior Braithwaite, a falsetto singer, and backup singers Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith. Initially, Tosh was the only one in the group who could play musical instruments. According to Bunny Wailer, Tosh was critical to the band because he was a self-taught guitarist and keyboardist, and thus became an inspiration for the other band members to learn to play. The Wailing Wailers had a major ska hit with their first single, "Simmer Down", and recorded several more successful singles before Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith left the band in late 1965. Marley spent much of 1966 in Delaware in the United States with his mother, Cedella (née Malcolm) Marley-Booker, and for a brief time was working at a nearby Chrysler factory. He returned to Jamaica in early 1967 with a renewed interest in music and a new spirituality. Tosh and Bunny were already Rastafarians when Marley returned from the US, and the three became very involved with the Rastafari faith. Soon afterwards, they renamed the musical group the Wailers. Tosh would explain later that they chose the name Wailers because to "wail" means to mourn or to, as he put it, "...express one's feelings vocally". He also claims that he was the beginning of the group, and that it was he who first taught Bob Marley the guitar. Also according to Bunny Wailer, the early Wailers learned to play instruments from Tosh.
During the mid-1960s Tosh, along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, were introduced to Danny Sims and Johnny Nash who signed the three artists to an exclusive recording contract on Sims' and Nash's JAD Records label as well as an exclusive publishing agreement through Sims' music publishing company, Cayman Music. Rejecting the up-tempo dance of ska, the band slowed their music to a rocksteady pace, and infused their lyrics with political and social messages inspired by their new-found faith. The Wailers composed several songs for the American-born singer Nash before teaming with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry to record some of the earliest well-known reggae songs, including "Soul Rebel", "Duppy Conqueror", and "Small Axe". The collaboration had given birth to reggae music and in 1970 bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother, drummer Carlton Barrett, joined the group. They recorded the album The Best of The Wailers, which was produced by Leslie Kong and released in 1971.[citation needed]
In 1972, Danny Sims assigned the balance of the JAD Records recording contract with the band to Chris Blackwell and Island Records company and released their debut, Catch a Fire, in 1973, following it with Burnin' the same year. The Wailers had moved from many producers after 1970 and there were instances where producers would record rehearsal sessions that Tosh did and release them in England under the name "Peter Touch".
In 1973, Tosh was driving home with his girlfriend Evonne when his car was hit by another car driving on the wrong side of the road. The accident killed Evonne and severely fractured Tosh's skull. After Island Records president Chris Blackwell refused to issue his solo album in 1974, Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the Wailers, citing the unfair treatment they received from Blackwell, to whom Tosh often referred with a derogatory play on Blackwell's surname, 'Whiteworst'. Tosh had written many of the Wailers' hit songs such as "Get Up, Stand Up", "400 Years", and "No Sympathy". Tosh began recording and released his solo debut, Legalize It, in 1976 with CBS Records company, and Treasure Isle. The title track soon became popular among endorsers of cannabis legalization, reggae music lovers and Rastafari all over the world, and was a favourite at Tosh's concerts.
That was his last album from the Wailers, Island Records. In 2013, a book co-written by French scholar Dr Jeremie Kroubo Dagnini and American Lee Jaffe, his former associate, says Tosh was part of a smuggling operation that raised money to fund this album.
Solo career
Tosh started to make his own albums with Rolling Stones Records and CBS Records Equal Rights followed in 1977, featuring his recording of a song co-written with Marley, "Get Up, Stand Up", and a cover of "Stepping Razor" that would also appear on the soundtrack to the film Rockers.
Tosh organised a backing band, Word, Sound and Power, who were to accompany him on tour for the next few years, and many of whom performed on his albums of this period. In 1978, the Rolling Stones record label Rolling Stones Records contracted with Tosh, on which the album Bush Doctor was released, introducing Tosh to a larger audience. The album featured Rolling Stones frontmen Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the lead single – a cover version of The Temptations song "Don't Look Back" – was performed as a duet with Jagger.
During Bob Marley's free One Love Peace Concert of 1978, Tosh lit a marijuana spliff and lectured about legalising cannabis, lambasting attending dignitaries Michael Manley and Edward Seaga for their failure to enact such legislation. Several months later he was apprehended by police as he left Skateland dance hall in Kingston and was beaten severely while in police custody.
Mystic Man (1979), and Wanted Dread and Alive (1981) followed, both released on Rolling Stones Records. Tosh tried to gain some mainstream success while keeping his militant views, but was only moderately successful, especially when compared to Marley's achievements.
In 1984, after the release of 1983's album 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. Tosh had been at odds for several years with his label, EMI, over a perceived lack of promotion for his music.
Tosh also participated in the international opposition to South African apartheid by appearing at anti-apartheid concerts and by conveying his opinion in various songs like "Apartheid" (1977, re-recorded 1987), "Equal Rights" (1977), "Fight On" (1979), and "Not Gonna Give It Up" (1983). In 1987, Peter Tosh seemed to be having a career revival. He was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Performance in 1987 for No Nuclear War, his last record.
Death
On 11 September 1987, just after Tosh had returned to his home in Jamaica, a three-man gang came to his house on motorcycles demanding money. Tosh replied that he did not have any with him but the gang did not believe him. They stayed at his residence for several hours and tortured Tosh in an attempt to extort money from him. Over the hours, as various associates of Tosh arrived to visit him, they were also taken hostage by the gunmen. The gunmen became more and more frustrated, especially the chief thug, Dennis "Leppo" Lobban, a man whom Tosh had previously befriended and tried to help find work after a long jail sentence. Tosh said he did not have any money in the house, after which Lobban and the fellow gunmen began opening fire in a reckless manner. Tosh was shot twice in the head and killed. Herbalist Wilton "Doc" Brown and disc jockey Jeff 'Free I' Dixon also died as a result of wounds sustained during the robbery. Several others in the house were wounded, including Tosh's common law wife Andrea Marlene Brown, Free I's wife Yvonne ("Joy"); Tosh's drummer Carlton "Santa" Davis, and musician Michael Robinson.
According to Police Commissioner Herman Ricketts, Dennis "Leppo" Lobban surrendered and two other men were interrogated but not publicly named. Lobban went on to plead innocent during his trial, telling the court he had been drinking with friends. The trial was held in a closed court due to the involvement of illegal firearms. Lobban was ultimately found guilty by a jury of eight women and four men and sentenced to death by hanging. His sentence was commuted in 1995 and Lobban remains in jail. Another suspect was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The other two gunmen were never identified by name.
Discography
Legalize It (1976)
Equal Rights (1977)
Bush Doctor (1978)
Mystic Man (1979)
Wanted Dread & Alive (1981)
Mama Africa (1983)
No Nuclear War (1987)
Arise Black Man
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And be ye lifted up, ye ever-livin' Black people
The King of glory shall come in
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
We've been sittin' in the dirt too long
And it seems we don't know when we're right or wrong
But help me sing my song
Blackman arise
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself right now
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
For the moon shall turn into blood
And the rivers turn into flood
And the sun will never shine
Blackman arise
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Remember we've been down here as slaves
And to get a little job you have to trim and shave
Your heaven becomes your grave Job
Blackman arise
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
For the time of rights is now
And you don't have to ask me how
You've got to make a move
Blackman arise
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Every man on earth is a man
And every tub have to stand on its own bottom
No matter where you're from
Blackman arise
The lyrics to Peter Tosh’s song “Arise Black Man” call on Black people to rise up and recognize their dignity and worth. The song is inspiring and empowering, with the repeated refrain, “Arise Blackman arise, Arise and denote thyself”, serving as a call to action. Tosh speaks of the oppression and discrimination that Black people have faced for centuries, from slavery to being denied jobs because of their hair, and he urges listeners to recognize that the time for change is now.
The song draws on religious imagery, with the line "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye ever-livin' Black people, The King of glory shall come in," referencing Psalm 24:7. This biblical verse is often used to signal the coming of a great leader, and in this case, it invokes the idea of Black people’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Tosh also makes reference to apocalyptic events, such as the moon turning to blood and rivers turning to floods, perhaps suggesting that systemic change is long overdue and that the status quo cannot be sustained.
The song’s climax stresses the need for Black people to take action and create change for themselves. Tosh sings, “For the time of rights is now, and you don't have to ask me how. You've got to make a move, Blackman arise”. His message is one of unity and self-empowerment, urging his listeners to stand up and take control of their own destinies. It’s a timeless anthem that still resonates today, over 40 years after it was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Lift up your heads, O ye gates
Open up your minds and hearts
And be ye lifted up, ye ever-livin' Black people
Empower and uplift yourselves, Black people, because your existence is eternal
The King of glory shall come in
You will receive blessings and prosperity if you allow positivity to enter your life
Arise Blackman arise
Wake up, Black man and take action
Arise and denote thyself
Stand up and assert your identity and worth
We've been sittin' in the dirt too long
We have been oppressed and held down for too long
And it seems we don't know when we're right or wrong
The confusion and misinformation that we have been fed makes it difficult for us to recognize truth and justice
But help me sing my song
Join in with me and let's make our voices heard
Blackman arise
Take action, Black man
For the moon shall turn into blood
The prophecy of change and transformation shall come to pass
And the rivers turn into flood
There will be a great upheaval or overturning of the status quo
And the sun will never shine
The world as we know it will change completely
Remember we've been down here as slaves
Remember our history of being treated as property and oppressed
And to get a little job you have to trim and shave
The ways in which we are forced to conform in order to fit into a traditional white society
Your heaven becomes your grave Job
Our dreams and aspirations are subsumed by the need to survive
For the time of rights is now
The time for justice and equality is here and now
And you don't have to ask me how
The path to justice and equality is clear and self-evident
You've got to make a move
It's up to us to take action
Every man on earth is a man
All people are created equal and have inherent worth
And every tub have to stand on its own bottom
Every individual has to be responsible for themselves and their own success
No matter where you're from
Your origin or background does not limit or define you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Peter Tosh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ghuynelalcime1310
Ancestor Peter tosh is truly the Malcolm X of reggae.
@Aj18959
My brother would sing this song to me when I was sleeping all day as I got older I understood why he would sing it ❤
@mmg0705
Peter definitely should get more credit for his work.
@violetbrown9256
Whenever am in a bad mood, i listen to peter music and my soul is lifted.People dont underdtand how great this man is
@nyaganimwasamila
Tosh know alot about black man race.
@augustuswhite5211
HE'S LOVE MORE THAN BOB IN JAMAICA IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.
WE LOVE HIS MILITANT AND UNAPOLOGETIC APPROACH TO HIS MUSIC AND CULTURE.
JUST LIKE BOB HE BROUGHT THIS APPROACH AND EVEN MORE MILITANT TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY.RIP PETER TOSH.
@macupeandile2473
Listening is a skill. Listen and lift yourself black man.you on your own black child..... arise Black man
@rastalavie
Arise
@mooniacful
revolutionary prophet. SIP
@sosouth15
He's not a prophet. Just a messenger.