[I felt my consciousness drifting to another planet as well. A contact high in such an environment could only have been avoided by cessation of respiration. The incense and ganja had long since thickened the room into a Martian swirl. The smoke seemed to develop a life of its own, obscuring all of the physical Tosh save for his sunglasses. Tosh progressively resembled a rasta Cheshire cat.]
Do you prefer some of your songs over others?
"Are some flowers more beautiful than others? The garden is beautiful. Do I prefer brother over brother? Comparisons are part of this political world. Where there is one, there is no conflict. Where there is two or more, there is conflict. Two is the devil. Conflict begin with the devil. We count 0 to 1, then back to 0. It is a circle."
Does it bother you that the majority of your American audience is white?
"Every time, mon! It is 99.9%! It is again a conspiracy to demote I. Don't feel no way. My counteraction will be lightning and earthquake."
What is your goal?
"To promote equal rights and justice for every man."
What will happen when this goal is reached?
"The flowers will bloom and the pollution will go away. There will be fresh air and no pestilence. Man has created these things for experimental purposes to promote death and advance technology. But soon the earth will tilt on its axis and begin to dance to the reggae beat to the accompaniment of earthquake. And who can resist the dance of the earthquake, mon?"
Do you offer any advice?
"Buy more reggae records, mon. Stop smoking cigarettes and start smoking ganja. If you live the reggae beat, you will not perish from it."
Tosh survived the reggae beat, but not the drugs and politics-driven violence of Jamaica. He was murdered in a hail of bullets at his home in Kingston in 1987. The murder is still under investigation.
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.