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)
Recruiting Soldiers
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm recruiting soldiers
For Jah army
Recruiting soldiers
Jah time is now
Satan forces
They all rise up to fight
See them fighting
Against Jah children
See them slaughter them light slaves
Hear them come say Jah is dead
But they didn't show me his grave
No, no
''Chorus''
Anti-Christ forces
They all rise up
To fight against Jah and his saints
I can tell you
But there is confusion
In high places
About the lamb that was slain
And all these years I hear them say
Their building a nation
But all these tricks were just a game
''Chorus''
Lightning forces
Jah time is now
Lucifer forces
They all they all rise up
To fight against Jah and his saints
But that won't work
Hear them praising old Marcus Garvey
Hear them exalting his name
But all these times they be doing that I say
If he was here right now he'd go to jail the same
''Chorus''
Only to fight ... fighting a losing battle
But they fight
In Peter Tosh's song "Recruiting Soldiers", the artist is urging people to join forces with "Jah army" to fight against the forces of Satan and Anti-Christ who are rising up to fight against Jah and his saints. The chorus of the song reinforces this idea of recruiting soldiers to join Jah's army, as Jah's time is now. The artist addresses the confusion and tricks played by the "anti-Christ forces" who rise up to fight against Jah and his saints. However, the song assures the listeners that their efforts will not work, as Jah's lightning forces are available to defend against the opposing forces.
The lyrics talk about the slaughter of Jah's children and question why people say Jah is dead, but his grave cannot be found. This invokes a sense of sadness and frustration which encourages the listener to join forces to fight against the anti-Jah forces.
This song is a classic example of Peter Tosh's radical and revolutionary spirit. He was known for his strong belief in social justice and his willingness to use music as a vehicle for his message. With this song, he calls on people to fight against the forces of oppression and join the army of Jah. It is a politically charged message that speaks to the need for social change and activism.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm recruiting soldiers
Peter Tosh is trying to gather people to fight for Jah's army.
For Jah army
The soldiers being recruited are being asked to fight for Jah.
Recruiting soldiers
Peter Tosh is looking for new soldiers to join the army.
Jah time is now
The time for Jah's army to rise up and fight is now.
Satan forces
The devil and his followers are coming together to fight.
They all rise up to fight
The enemy is ready to battle against Jah's army.
They all rise up to fight Jah and the saints
The enemy is specifically targeting Jah and his holy followers.
See them fighting
Peter is observing the enemy fighting.
Against Jah children
The enemy is fighting against Jah's followers.
See them slaughter them light slaves
The enemy is mercilessly killing Jah's people who follow his light.
Hear them come say Jah is dead
The enemy is verbally claiming that Jah has died.
But they didn't show me his grave
There is no actual evidence of Jah's death, as no grave can be found.
No, no
Peter is strongly denying their claim.
Anti-Christ forces
The enemy is evil, working against Christ.
To fight against Jah and his saints
Their goal is to fight against Jah's followers.
I can tell you
Peter is sharing his knowledge of the enemy's plan.
But there is confusion
There is chaos and uncertainty among the enemy.
In high places
The highest ranking individuals among the enemy are the ones who are confused.
About the lamb that was slain
The enemy is unsure about the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity.
And all these years I hear them say
Peter has heard the enemy's false claims for years.
Their building a nation
The enemy is creating a nation, but it is not for good.
But all these tricks were just a game
The enemy's supposed nation-building is just a deceitful ploy.
Lightning forces
Jah's force is powerful and impressive.
Lucifer forces
The devil's force is working against Jah's army.
They all they all rise up
The enemy is again rising up to fight against Jah's followers.
But that won't work
Peter is confident that the enemy's efforts will not succeed.
Hear them praising old Marcus Garvey
The enemy is lauding Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader and philosopher.
Hear them exalting his name
The enemy is raising Garvey's name to high praise.
But all these times they be doing that I say
Peter is implying that the enemy's claims of affection for Garvey are not genuine.
If he was here right now he'd go to jail the same
Peter is suggesting that if Garvey were alive, he too would be persecuted by the enemy.
Only to fight ... fighting a losing battle
The enemy is fighting without any chance of winning.
But they fight
Even though they are destined to lose, the enemy continues to fight.
Contributed by Dominic I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeanclarke9106
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song, as with all of Peter's music ; it soothes my soul at the deepest level. Miss you Peter Tosh.
@robertjrobicheau8456
In the better late than never category. I heard this song for the first time about 1 year ago. I bet I've listened to it 100 times now. What a blessing to my ears. Thank you YouTube and Peter Tosh Rasta.
@bradleylowden558
Unbelievably honest and moving. A musical genius.
@yussifsalifu4817
Best Male vocalist of All Time👍👍👍
@dreadgramus8316
Peter lives. The world should NEVER FORGET those Brilliant and pure souls who came into the world and brought, Love, truth, integrity and cry for humanity. They spoke against injustice, evil doings.
Bob, Peter, Bunny, Joseph Hill, they were never bought or sold by the System. They never got corrupted.
They are still here on earth with us through their Music.
Jah Bless.
@peggydesir634
One of my favorite peter tosh masterpieces. Can never get tired of listening to this.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@jimmillman5134
Didn’t know this one before today. Tosh had a great voice. RIP.
@stanleystamiri6965
Wailing Messenger of The Most High. He was actually recruiting us as soldiers through this song by alerting us about evil forces on the rise and to be time concious.
@marktyndall7788
Hear them praising old Marcus Garvey hear them exalting is name
@marktyndall7788
Folks great yeah for all these times they've been doing that I say if he was here he would be going to jail same way I say