Singer, musician, composer, and rebel, Peter Tosh left an infectious feeling throughout Jamaican music; both as a founding member of The Wailers and as a solo artist. He was born Winston Hubert McIntosh, OM (October 19, 1944), in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Along with Bob and Bunny, he was one of the principal members of the Wailers band (1963–1976), after which he established himself as a successful solo artist and a promoter of marijuana. He migrated to (Trenchtown) Kingston, Jamaica at the age of fifteen. His love for guitar came from watching a man played and he was hooked. As an aspiring musician in the 1960s, Tosh was mentored by Joe Higgs. He quickly changed his name to Peter Tosh and the trio started singing together in 1962. Higgs taught them harmonizing while developing their craft. By 1964, Tosh along with Marley and Bunny formed The Wailing Wailers; they were joined by Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso and Cherry Smith. At the time, Tosh was the only one who had experience of playing instruments. His passion for music inspired the other members and convinced them to play. Clearly Peter was the leader of the group and also taught Bob how to play guitar. The band later scored a major “Ska” hit with their first single, “Simmer Down.” After several successful songs, Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith left the band in late 1965. The remaining members renamed the group “The Wailers.” During this time, the trio was introduced to Danny Sims and Johnny Nash who signed them to an exclusive recording contract on JAD Records. The deal also came with a publishing agreement through Sims’ music publishing company, Cayman Music. After a series of practices, the band took on a slower style of recording and infused their lyrics with political and social messages inspired by their Rastafarian faith. In 1971, Tosh began pursuing a solo career in conjunction with the band. His debut single, “Maga Dog,” was done with producer Joe Gibbs. The single was a major success, prompting Tosh to work on other tracks with Gibbs. In the meantime, the Wailers composed several songs for Nash before teaming with producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.  The rock-steady style produced several hits including “Small Axe”, “Soul Rebel” and “Duppy Conqueror”. The new found collaboration had given birth to a new sound as fans witnessed a refreshing form of reggae music. The Barrett brothers soon joined the band and recorded “The Best of the Wailers” album which was produced by Leslie Kong.

In 1972, Danny Sims turned over the remaining contract to Chris Blackwell and Island Records. The group debuted with “Catch a Fire” and “Burnin” albums in 1973. Due to their tedious schedules and recordings, Peter discovered that some of his materials were secretly being released in England under the name “Peter Touch”.

Tragedy struck later in the year as Tosh and his girlfriend were involved in a terrible car accident, resulting in her death and leaving him with severe head injuries. Nonetheless, Peter would recover and continue touring with the group. The band was getting international fame, thus leaving Tosh with less time for a solo career.  Subsequent to the end of the 1973 tour, tensions started brewing with Marley. Peter wanted his own career and albums; however, Blackwell refused. Tosh and Bunny decided to leave the group, citing favoritism from Blackwell towards Marley. They continued performing on several occasions and decided to fully dismantle the group in 1975. Peter was now a free agent and delivered a remake of “Brand New Secondhand”. However, it was his 1976 Album, “Legalize It,” that propelled him into stardom and put a stamp on the single becoming the “ganja anthem” of Reggae. This was a collaborative effort from Columbia/ CBS Records and Treasure Isle.  1977 was another huge year for Tosh as he started doing his own albums with Rolling Stones and CBS Records.  The “Equal Rights” masterpiece featured “Get Up Stand Up” and a cover of “Stepping Razor” that was also featured on the “Rockers” film soundtrack.

Rapidly becoming a household name, he signed a contract a year later with Rolling Stones Records & Label. The joint venture gave us the “Bush Doctor” album that featured rock legend Mick Jagger on the rendition of the single “Don’t look back”. Tosh began working with Sly and Robbie and toured extensively with Jagger. Though both were rebels, it oftentimes presents danger for the mystic man; this was evident at the 1978 “One Love Peace Concert” in Jamaica. While on stage, he lit marijuana and blasted both political party leaders for not legalizing the herb. His stance against politics and oppression of poor people made him a target. He was severely beaten by police a few months after the concert and sustained severe bodily injuries.

A determined musician who enjoyed touring and recording, fatigue and pain got the best of him. After his quick recovery, several albums followed, “Mystic Man” (1979) and “Wanted Dread and Alive” (1981), both released on Rolling Stones Records. After some well deserved rest he returned in 1983 with his cover version of “Johnny B Goode” which made the top 50 chart in the USA. His love for Africa and anti-apartheid stance was crucial for his “Mama Africa” album. As an activist for equal rights and justice, Tosh continued touring and stayed true to his mission of fighting against the oppression of blacks and poor people. Another hiatus followed after the tour and he returned with a force in 1987 with “In my song”. The new single was a part of his last studio album “No Nuclear War”, which received a Grammy nomination that year and won.