The legendary Peter Tosh talks about his hopes and plans - and the problems coming from the shitstem
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.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Eric Olsen
"What do you guys want?"
27 - Farrakhan Asante - Yeboah
I have read with great admiration and contentment the story of the legendary Peter Tosh. I must say frankly that I have gained a lot from this information. As you rightly said, the world knows a lot about Marley but next to nothing about Tosh. Well done for your wonderful work. Since my appetite for information has been wetted, I want more information on the personal life style of this great man: news on his wife, children, acquaintences, etc. JAH GUIDE!!
28 - Eric Olsen
Farrakhan, Thanks so much for your kind words - I am deeply gratified the interview was of interest and you found it informative! I will work on putting a bio together.
29 - Farrakhan Asante-Yeboah
Words are not enough to express my gratitude for the wonderful work you are doing in the name of RASTAFARI. Like all true Rastafarians, I say HARAMBEE: Let us all pull together in one love, peace and harmony: TOGETHER WE STAND RASTA!!!!
30 - Igor
Hey guy! Just respect to you for what you are doing! And for you know exactly the idea what u r talking about!
31 - Semayat
What a wonderful interview.
Thanks for spreading Peter "the toughest" Tosh's message. He was the one, he was the best, he's still the king of reggae music. May his soul rest in peace mon!!
32 - Eric Olsen
Thanks for your kind words Semayat, and I'm sure Peter would appreciate them too.
33 - Asha
Peter was a true revolutionary. He was telling no lie and telling the truth right in your face. He was more than a musician. It's a pitty that there are not many musicians like him. If you notice many musicians are sweet and kind and nice as pie but does their music touch your soul - not mine. I would say that many musicians are not musicians but they are sellers only trying to sell their records without no love in their music. Peter did not. And I appriciate this like i appriciate your work and the wonderful interview.
34 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Asha, Toshs's level of commitment ws greater than most, I agree.
35 - Asha
Yeah. I am living in germany but my roots are from egypt. His music can be heard here in germany and there in egypt. Even almost 17 years after his death his music and his spirit is still around. To quote Peter Tosh:"If reggae is not accepted universally in the four corners of the earth than what`s the use of the music"
36 - Farrakhan Asante-Yeboah
Just can't stop reading about Tosh and all rootsmen. What we have here is a complete new book of Psalms. These are the teachings the devils will not teach i n i in the history class.
JUMP HIGHER BRO.
37 - Eric Olsen
I am very glad I found this interview again - I believe I have a longer version somewhere and the possibility exists I taped it, though I honestly can't remember - more to come! Thanks for the interest, all.
38 - Westford
What are you guys talking about..? This conversation seems to have strayed dramatically!
39 - Semayat
Irie Eric
Did u find the tape of your interview?
It would be great to reach this one...
This conversation seems no dramatically at all. I got one from a Canadian tv in august 83 where he talked about dead. His words were " I man will never die, no one can kill I"
When you see that after his elimination it's pretty dramatical and so sad :-(
40 - Eric Olsen
No, it's buried deep in the vaults if it exists at all, but thanks for the reminder. I really need to sort through all of that kind of stuff to see what I have anyway.
41 - gregg b.
Peter Tosh was the greatest of the greatest.The toughest of the toughest.
Killed by the babylon shitstem. A poor man of low intelligence named Leppo was the 'Patsy', just like Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Sirhan Sirhan.....but the word, sound, and power can never be erased. Roger Stephans has a vast collection on Peter and his music, - check his shows on Tosh, and Marley. "The Babylon 'shitstem'
is the vampire..." Reggae music and its 'message' has spread to all four corners of the globe and one day will surely topple the 'new world order'! The 'Bush Jr.' won't stand a chance against The Bush Doctor! It is 'the slow train', yet there is no doubt that 'this train is bound for glory' for (as Aesop in his fable pointed out) slow and steady wins the race, and I hold no doubt that rock steady will win in dis here rat race. Jah Bless.
42 - Semayat
Irie
Ok, Eric keep searching this interview. Maybe we won't be disapointed!! We have to spread his word, sound and power!!
You're right Gregg, Peter was (and is) the toughest, the greatest. His music has to be spreaded over this wild world to bring back equality, love and free herb fe every one!!
But like you said Roger Steffens got a huge collection (like Lee Jafee, and all his friends), but due to Babylon-ism thought all the materials will never circulate as it should be. I am trying to get videos, audios, interviews and studios works, but you can't imagine how hard it is!! Check my website for further info.
Semayat
43 - Eric Olsen
I saw Tosh open for the Stones on tht tour as well and was super impressed - that was probably my first live reggae, and of course most of the crowd didn't know what the hell was going on, but it did open a lot of eyes and helped spread the word.
I can't imagine we will see such a Golden Age of reggae again: the late-'60s until the death of Tosh.
44 - joseph matiza
I and I respect Tosh more than what the shitstem do to Bob .I am not taking anything away from Bob but the world has been equally unfair to Tosh .They haven't given Tosh the credit he deserves. It's written that Tosh was the teacher and Bob was the taught.
45 - Jack E. Perkins
Eric,
I've read a ton of Peter Tosh interviews, and I've heard some on cd/tape/video. Your interview showed a different side to Peter Tosh. His wit, conviction, intelligence, and faith were beyond reproach and always obvious. I'll be printing yours out and revisiting it frequently.
Jack E. Perkins (Milwaukee, WI)
46 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Jack, another nudge to go through all my old tapes and see if I still have the actual audio interview. I am deeply pleased this interview has been of interest to so many people.
47 - ameo
I BOUGHT THE CAPTURED LIVE DOUBLE CD A FEW YEARS AGO AT A CD TRADER STORE. HAVE BEEN A FAN FOR MANY YEARS. I PLAY THAT CD 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK.IT HAS BEEN A SAVING GRACE FOR ME THRU THIS TIME OF CRISIS. I CRANK IT UP AND IT GIVES ME SUCH A PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HIGH.
ONLY IF.....
48 - stan
I can never get enough of peter. thnks for this one mate. peter will live forever.
i recommend the red x files for any peter fan. the man is a hero. a true revolutionary (more than bob)
49 - Hero Scott
What can I say about the man? If you use a knife to cut open my stomach, guess who jump out? The Great Peter Tosh. Whenever I think about Peter tears run from my eyes. Peter is a very intelligent man.
50 - Hero Scott
What can I say about the man? If you use a knife to cut open my stomach, guess who jump out? The Great Peter Tosh. Whenever I think about Peter tears run from my eyes. Peter is a very intelligent man. This interview was very nice and Peter is always very witty when answering questions unlike some of those boring musicians. It always take me a long time to finish read Peter's interviews. I need to read it over and over again and enjoy it to the max. Eric, this was master piece.
We will continue to spread your music Peter "Witty" Tosh
51 - steppin'razor
My best compliments Eric for this nice interview with the IntelDiplo4HIM !
What about the Peter's desire not to "follow the path of destruction"?
What do you think about how Peter was described in "Catch a fire.The life of Bob Marley" by Timothy White?
Wadadda
IGZIABEHER
52 - Eric Olsen
Thanks for the kind words guys, I am very happy the interview has been meaningful to you.
It's been a very long time since I read Catch a Fire so I don't remember what White said. I think Bob's most hardcore fans don't fully appreciate Peter and vice versa: what amazing talent in the original Wailers!!
53 - misticonatural
Ooooh man that was a great interview so you are a great man too but some of peter words are just tales, i mean effects of too much ganja in the soul mind body and heart.but he was a grat man a mystic man now i am going to smoke a joint and try live my well as possible and i will take the great words of Peter´ in life i have to make the good better and the better best.one love.god bless us.
54 - Eric Olsen
Thanks for your kind words M, I didn't take everything he said literally, mor like parables.
55 - Kevin Byrne
I ave heard an interesting story concerning Peter Tosh's demise which I would like to share. Approximately 14 years ago, I was having a conversation with a friend who had just returned from Jamaica. Not being one to be satisfied with the regular tourist traps, he had sought out what he referred to as the "real Jamaica" and heard this interesting story along the way.
According to him, many years before his death, Peter Tosh had some sort of run in with the law. Sorry, I have no specifics concerning what for. The cops and authorities however were apparently coming down hard and looking to put PT away for a while. Because of this, an associate of PT's, who was apparently much less fortunate, offered to take the fall for whatever it was. In exchange, all he asked was that PT take care of his family while he was away and treat them as his own. The story goes that the man went to prison and emerged 15 years later only to find that PT had not lived up to his end of the deal. In fact, when he emerged, he came to find that his wife and children had been treated as strangers by PT and ignored the entire time he sat in prison. After discovering this, the man was extremely upset and set out for revenge. This particular legend has it that it was this man and a band of thugs that broke into PT's home and killed him for the purposes of revenge, not robbery. This is a more plausible story given the nature of the crime and the fact that nothing was stolen.
Anyway, I am not saying this is how it went down, but I am interested to hear if anyone else has ever heard this version of events.
56 - ben malament
i never heard that story before. it was the government, no? Tosh had his Red X given to him on all the official documents. he was a threat. thugs were paid to take the blow and do an evil deed on the jamaican government's part.
do you see Tosh as militaristic?
do you see his battle through his life and music taking on militant aspects?
anyone read frantz fanon?
he was fighting the colonial system as a "native". the "settlers" played violent games and he was calling out to poor, rich, and all to fight back. no?
anyone?
57 - James Golden
Eric,
I can't believe you didn't smoke some of his ganj, but then again, in Jamaica, it isnt considered cool to pass the spliff, they smoke em like we smoke ciggarettes - no sharing!
58 - Eric Olsen
This was his hotel in Hollywood and I was trying to interview him while all this chaos was swirling around me, we had a photographer there, his minions were milling, and there was enough in the air to stain the walls. It was quite an experience, mon.
Re his death, I haven't researched it very thoroughly, although maybe I will now - I found it very depressing and didn't really want to dwell on it at the time. It really seemed like the end of an era to me (and it was).
59 - pete
Hi,
thanks for removing my post from this Blogcritics.org page. however when I type in my name into my search page on MSN, this page about Peter Tosh still comes up.
Please take my name off of the search page entirely.
It is at utmost importance that this happens as soon as possible.
Thanks very much.
60 - raskupid
GREETINGS: to all in the name of the
MOST HIGH
First & foremost I&I would like to give thanks to H.I.M. for inspiring de I to
share such an informal & riveting interview.Blessed love king!
I&I would also like to take this chance
to say I&I is de all and de all is I&I!
Like Tosh said there is no 2 ,so in the
fullness of that parable ,please overstand we are all one including every musician; Brothers Bob&Tosh were vessels used to share the message & the
meditations of the MOST HIGH and to submit them to comparison would be to
slaughter the representation of H.I.M.
and the fullness thereof.
As for the theory of revenge by those
who murdered Tosh physicalness;"I&I have also heard that story. It was also said that a member of the I-trees was present
on that terrible night so if the story of vengeance & wrath is something you are curious about...this would be a venue to interview or investigate.
Anyway once again thank you for the
upliftment by the powerful words of king Tosh and the views of all.
PEACE, LOVE & UNITY TO ALL...
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HIGH
"JAHRASTAFARI" ...I-VER LIVING , I-VER FAITHFUL , I-VER SURE FOR
I-VER & I-VER MORE
61 - Frances Fullwood
Interesting interview, Eric, but I must make a couple of corrections. It's been a number of years ago, so maybe that's why you've got a couple of things mixed up. I was at the Greek Theater that night in August of 1983, along with my husband who was playing bass for Peter Tosh, Fully Fullwood (not Gibby Morrison as you have stated above) The Mamma Africa tour began in August of 1982, with the first show at San Diego State University. Then it was the Hollywood Paladium, The Roxy, and onward. The show at the Greek Theater was a year later in August of 1983 and the tour was still going on. I have the tour book with all dates and venues. Perhaps you should take a look at the video, "Live at the Greek Theater" to refresh your memory. The sound was perfect that night and Peter Tosh and Word, Sound, and Power were great.
62 - Eric Olsen
Frances, thanks so much for checking in and correcting my errors.
It really doesn't have much to do with memory, though, this is what I had written down at the time. Very sorry about getting the bass player wrong, especially since he is your husband! I have made the corrections you suggested. I remember the show itself very well, and it was spectacular.
My deepest apologies for not giving credit where credit was due until now.
63 - Semayat
Irie!!
Frances Fullwood!!
I am looking for people who were living w/ Peter Tosh. For informations about his 81, 82-83 tour, dates, venues...
If, by any chances, u read this message, PLEASE link me up.
I'am a big Peter Tosh who try to make a big collection of his recordings (audio, videos, interviews...), his life and so on...
Tks again Eric for letting us talkin' 'bout this great interview. Btw, did u find this recording in your collection??
I'am still here to collect it :-)
Best regards
Semayat
64 - Eric Olsen
Semayat, I have been thinking about you and before the end of the summer I will bust out all 500 or so of my interview, etc., tapes and see if it's there. This will be a major undertaking but it will be worthwhikle to see what I have. I appreciate the interest!
65 - waxwizzard
Whut up up my people, Im an intern at universal, I got some of the new 20th century millennium collections cds that just came out from Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, and a bunch of others. My alltime favorite Marley song is Iron Lion Zion, I've even got a poster up with the lyrics. That J hes puffin on looks tempting too. What's your favorite Marley or reggae song??? Hit me back man. Check out this site if you wanna know about the new cds too. One love.
66 - Semayat
Irie,
Alright Eric!! 500 tapes!! U have to verify all one by one. It'll take time to see if u still got this interview. U know i don't want to bother u, just want to collect as much as possible :-)
And this interview is interesting!!
i got one interview by Roger Steffens (the "my future in Africa" interview from the "I am that I am" accoustic album), and it seems that Peter had lost all trust in the business, he was disgusted by the way of his new album "Mama africa" was promoted, the fact that reggae music was not played on radio for the black community...
And your interview shows his stand against the "shitstem".
ATB
Semayat
67 - Eric Olsen
I knew Roger at the time - I met him when he was the reggae publicity guy for Island Records in LA in theearly-'80s. He played the uptempo version of "Buffalo Soldier" for me in his office before it came out - very cool.
68 - Semayat
Hi Eric,
Just coming to see if u found this interview?? the end of summer is soon :-)
On 11th september hurricane Ivan hit Jamaica. St Peter strikes again even almost 20 years after his death, some they say, but it's really a sad year for all the people living in the Caribean (3 hurrican in 2 months!!!). Hurricane Andrew (in 92) is a little one compared to Ivan. Hopin' for the region that all will be finally going well :-)
All the best
Semayat
69 - george mukumba
This man was a philosopher in deed,simply naturally.I do not know where to get his music in Zimbabwe.He speaks(as though he still leaves)and responds to questions in a way that reflects a magnificent God-given genious!
Your site is very informative.Keep up the excellent work!
70 - nibbles
Terrific interview. It's intersting on the one hand he says, "The shitstem is white and black, Christian and Jew."
But then he goes on to say. "Comparisons are part of this political world. Where there is one, there is no conflict. "
So Tosh is creating conflict with his devisive and dehumanizing remarks.
He goes on to say, "Where there is two or more, there is conflict."
It's clear he's part of the conflict, and was living as a false prophet.
But I'm not trying to bash him, more I'm just expressing what seems like
a skewed sense of Jah love. All I ask is for a little more guidance.
71 - jah man
ay mah, jah nee to be coo wit ta gah mah. keep it righ with the gah mah. ya'll be coo and smoke some sheet. pace oot mah. love in meeh.
blackpeoplesuckfattynuts
72 - Eric Olsen
Thanks all, sitting in the room with him, it was clear he was well aware of the contradictory nature of his statements - he was smiling through much of it. He seemed to relish the role of provocateur.
73 - Kaya Young
Irie Mon! Peter Tosh is an always will be my HERO!an my HEART! I am glad to see someone that gives him the respect he desirves. Thank You! To everybody in Reggae Music Thank You too! Reggae is my life. JAH! RASTAFARI! Love you, Kaya Young.
74 - ralph
God is for real and rasta will live for real.
ralph kithika
75 - Eric Olsen
I very much enjoy contemplating the notion that the rasta version of God could win the Big Contest in the Sky