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 (nรฉe 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 โ a cover version of The Temptations song "Don't Look Back" โ 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)
Moses: The Prophet
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you remember Moses
Him no dead...
The man 'dep on earth still
The man a trod earth still
The man 'dep on earth still
Watch it now
Remember Elijah
Do you remember Elijah
Him no dead...
The man 'dep on earth still
The man a trod earth still... younger than ever
The man 'dep on earth still
Watch it now
The wicked them a gwan
Remember Jeremiah
Do you remember Jeremiah
That man no dead...
The man a trod earth still(3x)
Watch it now
The wicked them a gwan
Remember Satan(2x)
That guy no dead(3x)
The guy a trod earth still(3x)
Fulfilling his pledge to deceive the world
Remember Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Him no dead
That man no dead...
That man a trod earth still(3x)
Watching his prophecy fulfilled
The lyrics to Peter Tosh's song "Moses: The Prophet" pays homage to important historical and religious figures, who, according to Tosh, are still present and active on earth despite having passed away. Tosh implores listeners to remember these people as they continue to fight for justice and righteousness against wickedness. He references Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Satan, acknowledging their continued influence in the world, for good or bad. The song concludes with a mention of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the Jamaican political activist and leader, highlighting his impact on Jamaican and Black history.
The repetition of the phrase "Him no dead" reinforces Tosh's belief that the legacy of these people lives on, and that their work is not finished. He urges listeners to pay attention to the world around them and to stand up for what is right, much like these figures did during their lives. The reference to Satan is particularly interesting, as Tosh suggests that his work is still ongoing, and that he is actively trying to deceive the world.
The song "Moses: The Prophet" is a powerful reminder of the importance of history and the impact that historical figures still have on the world. It also speaks to the idea that the fight for justice and righteousness is ongoing, and that everyone has a role to play in making the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember Moses
Peter Tosh is asking if the audience remembers Moses from the Bible
Do you remember Moses
Repeating the question, emphasizing the importance of remembering Moses
Him no dead...
Peter Tosh is stating that even though Moses is no longer alive, he still exists in some way
The man 'dep on earth still
Moses exists on earth in some form
The man a trod earth still
Moses is still walking the earth in some way
The man 'dep on earth still
Repeating that Moses is still present on earth
Watch it now
Peter Tosh is warning the audience to pay attention
The wicked them a gwan
Evil people are still active in the world
Remember Elijah
Peter Tosh is now mentioning Elijah
Do you remember Elijah
Asking the audience once again if they remember Elijah
Him no dead...
Elijah is no longer alive, but still exists in some way
The man 'dep on earth still
Despite not being alive, Elijah exists on earth
The man a trod earth still... younger than ever
Elijah is still active and vibrant, as if he were younger than ever
The man 'dep on earth still
Repeating that Elijah still exists on earth
Watch it now
Peter Tosh is warning the audience once again to pay attention
The wicked them a gwan
Evil people are still active in the world
Remember Jeremiah
Peter Tosh is now mentioning Jeremiah
Do you remember Jeremiah
Asking the audience once again if they remember Jeremiah
That man no dead...
Jeremiah is no longer alive, but still exists in some way
The man a trod earth still(3x)
Repeating that Jeremiah still exists on earth
Watch it now
Peter Tosh is warning the audience once again to pay attention
The wicked them a gwan
Evil people are still active in the world
Remember Satan(2x)
Peter Tosh is now mentioning Satan
That guy no dead(3x)
Satan is not dead, but still active in the world
The guy a trod earth still(3x)
Repeating that Satan still exists on earth
Fulfilling his pledge to deceive the world
Satan is following through on his promise to deceive people
Remember Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Peter Tosh is now mentioning Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Him no dead...
Garvey is no longer alive, but still exists in some way
That man no dead...
Repeating that Garvey still exists in some way
That man a trod earth still(3x)
Repeating that Garvey still exists on earth
Watching his prophecy fulfilled
Garvey is observing as his predictions become reality
Contributed by Vivian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@koffiremi3098
Do you remember Moses
Do you remember Moses
Him no dead...
The man 'dep on earth still
The man a trod earth still
The man 'dep on earth still
Watch it now
The wicked them a gwan
Remember Elijah
Do you remember Elijah
Him no dead...
The man 'dep on earth still
The man a trod earth still...younger than ever
The man 'dep on earth still
Watch it now
The wicked them a gwan
Remember Jeremiah
Do you remember Jeremiah
That man no dead...
The man a trod earth still (3x)
Watch it now
The wicked them a gwan
Remember Satan (2x)
That guy no dead (3x)
The guy a trod earth still (3x)
Fulfilling his pledge to deceive the world
Remember Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Him no dead
That man no dead...
That man a trod earth still (3x)
Watching his prophecy fulfilled
@clementmutambo4954
This man was exceptional..Have spent a great deal of time listening to Bob Marley too. But Tosh was by far creative, innovative and above all philosophical
@abrahampalmer1153
Clement Mutambo agree 1000% Peter tosh is one of my favorite artists of all time in music his music is so deep and revolutionary is no joke whatsoever you can actually feel his pain in his music and a genuine artist 100%.
@mikewilkins2030
Now go a check Mr Livingston, my good friend, he can soften the heart in the best way with melodies!
@chefdefour
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@chancettalee3433
Peter Tosh is not dead his spirit soul and powerful voice will live for ever Jah bless
@samuelmwale1725
is a man not a guy
@kingsolomon0
This is truly gospel reggae at its best. Tosh was truly gifted in music. munyoroku karanja .
@hopetongordon2347
One of the best recording artist even lived.long live Peter music.
@lysanderhetfield504
what a majestic voice. no compare even bob marley is aware of the fact
@charlesmashego-en4dx
Real reggae. No comparison. The greatest of them all. See you soon to listen to you once more. RIP.....