Episode #165 | 03.12.24
Peter Tosh (Part 2): A Home Invasion, an Assassination, and No Compromise
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In this episode
As a reggae revolutionary who rejected peace in the name of truth and justice, and an outspoken critic of the Jamaican government, Peter Tosh's refusal to compromise nearly cost him his life many times over. He tried to amplify his message by purchasing Jamaica's Radio One. He tried to protect himself by way of African bush doctors and medicine men. He spent years knowing there was a bullet out there with his name on it. And in 1987, when Peter Tosh was 42, that bullet found him. Murdered in his own home by someone he knew. But why? Revenge? Wounded pride? Or was it murder for hire? Who really silenced the great Peter Tosh?
Sources
Steppin’ Razor: The Life of Peter Tosh, by John Massouri
This Is Reggae Music: The Story of Jamaica’s Music, by Lloyd Bradley
Stepping Razor: RedX (1992, dir. Nicholas Campbell)
Arise Blackman: The Peter Tosh Story (BBC)
High Times Greats: Peter Tosh (High Times)
The Day the Music Died in Kingston (Relix)
Peter Tosh: Island Zorro (Roxy 1978) plus ‘Who Killed Peter’? (Legendary Reggae)
Book links Tosh and ganja trade (Jamaica Observer)
Peter Tosh Interview | Slash Magazine (Legendary Reggae)
Peter Tosh: Reclaiming A Wailer (NPR)
Peter Tosh at the One Love Peace Concert (DerekBishton.com)
A Jamaican Candidate Is Shot as a Violent Campaign Nears Its End (NY Times)
Violence Is Jamaica Election Issue (NY Times)
Credits
Hosted by Jake Brennan.
Written by Zeth Lundy.
Additional writing by Bob Proehl.
Copy edited by James Sullivan.
Scored and mixed by Matt Tahaney.
Additional music and score elements by Ryan Spraker.
DISGRACELAND theme song, “Crenshaw Space Boogie,” written and produced by Jake Brennan. Performed by Jake Brennan, Bryce Kanzer, Jay Cannava, and Evan Kenney. Mixed and engineered by Adam Taylor.
*illustrations by Avi Spivak @avispivak