August, 1983: Peter Tosh was the most popular reggae singer in the world (Bob Marley was dead). His credentials were myriad and impeccable. He was a founding member of the Wailers with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer in 1964, in the Trenchtown slum of Kingston, Jamaica. He taught Bob Marley to play guitar. He left the Wailers in 1975 to pursue a successful solo career which was peaking with the Mama Africa Tour of 82-84, which played every continent of the world except Antarctica.
I met with Tosh the day after a magnificent performance at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles with his crack band Word, Sound and Power, featuring American guitarist Donald Kinsey (of the Chicago blues-funk band, The Kinsey Report), and a rock-solid rhythm section of Santa Davis (drums) and Fully Fullwood (bass).
As I approached Tosh's Hollywood hotel room, incense billowed out from under the door. As the photographer and I entered the room, several members of Tosh's entourage lolled about, Jamaican-style. Tosh was renowned for giving writers - especially white writers - a hard time.
Tosh stretched to his full 6' 3" height and shook his Medusa tangle of dreads, then composed himself into an alarmingly compact coil on the couch. I was seated across from Tosh, sensing that all of this was aimed at maximum intimidation. Tosh wore a preternaturally white t-shirt and sweats. He corralled his dreads under a Jamaican-style cap, put on his shades, lit five more sticks of incense and signaled his willingness to be addressed.
Why did you choose to record a reggae version of "Johnny B. Goode"?
"For commercial acceptance. My guitar player proposed it, we all arranged it. 'Commercial' is something for sale. I want my music to sell, mon. I want my music to reach the 500 millions."
What is your place in music?
"At the highest. I live my music, seen? I am a man of profound righteousness. I am in the highest position of life, so my music is also of highest position. Yah mon!"
Are you religious?
"Religion is misturned philosophy. I am that I am. I do not tell lie. How many you know not tell lie, mon?"
Who is responsible for your music?
"Jah flows through me. We are responsible. I live music. It rises spontaneously from me. Compositions appear, mon. In the beginning there was the word. The word was Jah. The word is in I, Jah is in I. I make what is good, better, and what is better, best. I follow this in every aspect of life."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Rodney Welch
What an excellent interview, Eric -- and what a terrific experience that must have been. The only rock star I ever shared a joint with is Jim Dandy Mangrum, so I guess I'm jealous. Thanks.
2 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Rodney, it was a very strange and indelible experience, as you can imagine. And then he was dead just four years later.
3 - andy
I will now go home and listen to that Peter Tosh album I have floating around somewhere. I had never listened to it. Damn fool I am!
4 - J. Mukwiilongo
It was an experience that youuuu will never forget, having met the Bush Doctor in babylon queendom. Noo one else in this here life will ever be a comparison to that man, Peter Tosh.Authoritative, tough, tall, black and Afrikan.
5 - Eric Olsen
No argument from me J - though Jamaican, he saw himself as African - he wasn't kidding about "Mama Africa." And I won't ever forget the experience, that's for sure. Thanks!
6 - Natalie Davis
Grand interview! One of my biggest regrets was that I never got to see Marley live. I do have a genetic connection, in a way, though: My late father did see Marley perform in the late '70s. I did get to see Tosh, though, in 1983. It was righteous, absolutely righteous. And dangerous, dangerous.
Thanks for posting this.
7 - Eric Olsen
Sounds like the same tour as this, Nat. It was an amazing show, very powerful, great band, sold out Greek Theater in L.A. I'm very sad he is gone. I never saw Marley live either, to my perpetual discredit.
8 - Natalie Davis
Discredit? Nah. Misfortune, yes.
9 - William
You are luckier than I. Because these terific man already died when I was born. I am 15, but a HUGE fan of these, big, big, big legends. Im smoking ganja every day, not because its legal here (holland) but because of this people, who acctually are (said by many people) "oldies". No, they aren't oldies. These people have made timeless music. I am youth, youth don't listen to oldies. Only to legends...
10 - Eric Olsen
William, I admire your taste and sense of history, and legends they are, but too much ganja isn't good for anyone. As a parent of two teenagers, I would encourage you to make sure you don't lose sight of your goals. Please give yourself the tools you need to succeed and complete your education. Best of luck.
11 - William
Thank you very much, but i am not losing any vision of life, i am just young, everybody who was young, smoked ganja. I know my goals, and I am following the good path to it. I have succes on school all the time, I smoke herb, but herb doesnt influence my school-prestations. Let's say I'll keep an eye on my smoking behavior.
Regards, william (sorry for my bad english)
12 - andy
I can honestly say I never smoked the wacky tobaccy. William your english is better than most of ours!
13 - Eric Olsen
Okay William,your English is much better than any second language i have, which is really none. I'm glad you are at least somewhat open to my advice, which is just out of concern, not trying to boss you around. I'm very glad you are doing well in school. I sound like Mr. T!
14 - William
I know you're not trying to boss me, you're just giving me an advice, and telling your opinion about the use of herb. And I am totally open to any advice, but the question is, if i use the advice wisely, And yes, I'll use it wisely. Thanks again,
William
15 - Eric Olsen
Cool
16 - AHMED JOUDA
GOD BLESS THIM , BOB MARLEY, PETER TOSH, ALL THE RASTA'S may jah bless them, peace out.
17 - Natalie Davis
Indeed, may Jah bless all the righteous people and help the others.
18 - Eric Olsen
I second that emotion, and am very glad this story has found it's way out to my rasta pals.
19 - jimmie
Tosh, bob and all the good musicians, giving us good reggae music I thank u all in the name of JAH. Keep the fire burning.
rasjih from South Africa.
One love!
20 - Eric Olsen
they thank you too, Jimmie
21 - danny
Tosh is not dead becoz rasta dont die,
And if rasta die he dont rot,
And if rasta rot he dont stink,
And if rasta stink.....
he stink of GANJA.
Bless I!
22 - Eric Olsen
Danny, I'm certain Peter would be comforted by your thoughts.
23 - guillermo
soo peter was rhe greatest man in the world thats are people whit conviction freedom roots and culture , now peter are in zion whit bob and selassie "every one wants to goes to eanen but no one wants to die ,this followers of jesus " equal rights and justice Jah rastafari
24 - Eric Olsen
I find it interesting that the exhortations left on this post are all of a positive naure. Yah mon!
25 - duane
Gee, I wonder if it's a side effect of all the ... oh, nevermind, mon.