Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh, was a Jamaican reggae musician and a founding member of the band The Wailers. He was known for his outspoken and militant views on social and political issues and for his creative musical style, which fused elements of reggae, rock, and blues. His 1976 debut solo album Legalize It became a rallying call for decriminalization of marijuana and other recreational drugs. His later albums continued to address controversial topics such as apartheid, poverty, and political corruption. Tosh was an advocate for the Rastafari movement and was assassinated in 1987 by robbers in Kingston, Jamaica.
| Name: | Peter Tosh |
| Date of Birth: | 19 October 1944 |
| Genres: | Reggae, Dub |
| Occupation: | Singer, Songwriter, Musician |
| Instruments: | Guitar, Piano, Vocals |
| Labels: | Columbia, EMI, Rolling Stones |
| Notable Songs: | “Legalize It”, “Stepping Razor”, “African” |
10 Best Peter Tosh Quotes
“The only thing I wanted to do was to uplift the people and make them realize that they are the rulers of this planet and not some politician or some diplomat or some president or prime minister or whatever.”
– Peter Tosh, from NPR
“The tongue is mightier than the sword and the pen is mightier than the gun.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned. Everywhere is war, me say war. That until there no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation. Until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes. Me say war. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race. Dis a war.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“One love. One heart. Let’s get together and feel all right.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“The more people who get involved, the better it is. The more hands, the more help.”
– Peter Tosh, from Rolling Stone
“My music is like a bible, a book of life. It’s a teaching, and it’s a learning.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“There’s only one way that you can try to make a change, and that is for the people to get together and try to reason with each other.”
– Peter Tosh, from Reggae Vibes
“No matter what you do, no matter what kind of a job you have, you’ll always be a slave if you don’t have a job of your own.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“You can’t push I down, I’m gonna be I no matter what happens.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“I’m not here to please nobody. I’m here to express myself and to help the people express themselves.”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
4 Peter Tosh Quotes About Bob Marley and The Wailers
“Bob is a great artist. Bob Marley and The Wailers made a great impact on the world.”
– Peter Tosh, from AllMusic
“I don’t think Bob Marley and The Wailers would have made it if it was not for Peter Tosh.”
– Peter Tosh, from The Guardian
“Bob Marley and The Wailers made a great impact on the world. Peter Tosh was the one who actually started that whole thing.”
– Peter Tosh, from Discogs
“Bob Marley and The Wailers and I, we had something very strong. We used to have a thing called the Wailing Wailers.”
– Peter Tosh, from Youtube
7 Inspirational Peter Tosh Quotes
“The more you reason the more you will know, the more you know the more you will grow”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“I am here to tell the world what is going on. I am here to be a messenger of truth”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“We must learn to live together in unity and harmony, or else we will perish in the non-unity”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“The truth is the truth, no matter who tell it”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything”
– Peter Tosh, from Jamaicans.com
“Wherever I go I always spread love, peace and justice”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
“Love is the universal language of mankind”
– Peter Tosh, from YouTube
5 Famous Peter Tosh Quotes
“I was born a rebel, and I will die a rebel.”
– Peter Tosh, from Village Voice
“Every time I hear a new song, it’s like I’m being born again.”
– Peter Tosh, from New York Times
“The only way you can bring about change is to tell the truth.”
– Peter Tosh, from New York Times
“Music is my vehicle, but truth is my destination.”
– Peter Tosh, from Village Voice
“I’m not here to entertain people, I’m here to educate people.”
– Peter Tosh, from The Guardian
8 Peter Tosh Quotes About Love
“Love is a strong emotion, and it can transcend anything.”
– Peter Tosh, from Rolling Stone
“I would love to see Jamaicans and Haitians, who have been together for years, living in peace and harmony, ’cause the love is there.”
– Peter Tosh, from Soul Patrol
“I love people and I will fight for them.”
– Peter Tosh, from Soul Patrol
“Love is a wonderful thing and it can heal the world.”
– Peter Tosh, from Soul Patrol
“If love can’t solve a problem, it’s a very big problem.”
– Peter Tosh, from Soul Patrol
“Love is the answer and I know that for sure.”
– Peter Tosh, from Reggae Vibes
“Love is the only message I can preach.”
– Peter Tosh, from Reggae Vibes
“I’d rather spread love than spread war.”
– Peter Tosh, from Reggae Vibes
8 Peter Tosh Quotes About Life
“Life is not a practice it’s a performance.”
– Peter Tosh, from Peter Tosh Official Website
“Life is a matter of choice, not of chance.”
– Peter Tosh, from Peter Tosh Official Website
“Life is a lesson, you learn it when you’re through.”
– Peter Tosh, from Peter Tosh Official Website
“Life is not a rehearsal, it’s a performance.”
– Peter Tosh, from Peter Tosh Official Website
“Life is too short to be living somebody else’s dream.”
– Peter Tosh, from Peter Tosh Official Website
“Life is a game, you play it to win.”
– Peter Tosh, from Peter Tosh Official Website
“Life is a dream, and you must live it.”
– Peter Tosh, from Positively Reggae
“Life is not a joke, life is serious, life is a game.”
– Peter Tosh, from All Music
5 Quotes About Peter Tosh
“Peter Tosh was a deeply spiritual man, a prophet and a visionary.”
– Marlon Jackson, from The Guardian
“Peter Tosh was the first one to put a guitar on his back and say ‘I can do this.’”
– KRS-One, from Jamsphere
“Peter Tosh was a spiritually enlightened individual.”
– Carlos Santana, from Rolling Stone
“Peter Tosh was an uncompromising musician, a rebel and a revolutionary.”
– Damian Marley, from HuffPost
“Peter Tosh was the real deal.”
– Ziggy Marley, from The Honey Loaf
Interview with Peter Tosh
Frequently Asked Questions About Peter Tosh
1. What are some of the most famous Peter Tosh quotes?
Peter Tosh was a Jamaican reggae musician, vocalist and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the band The Wailers. Throughout his career, Tosh was an outspoken advocate for the rights of the poor and oppressed, and his lyrics often reflected his revolutionary political views. Here are some of the most famous quotes from this iconic figure:
- “None but ourselves can free our minds.”
- “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.”
- “Freedom of speech is the right of every man, but the fool will surely abuse it.”
- “Without your conscience, you are a useless instrument.”
- “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver and gold.”
- “Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny.”
- “If you want to be free, you just have to be.”
- “The most important thing in life is to be yourself.”
- “The more your knowledge, the less your superstition.”
2. How did Peter Tosh influence the Reggae genre?
Peter Tosh was a renowned Jamaican reggae artist and a founding member of the legendary band, The Wailers. He is widely credited with helping to popularize the reggae genre and introducing it to a wider audience. Tosh was also a major influence on the development of the genre, with his unique style and groundbreaking lyrics.
- Tosh’s powerful lyrics spoke out against oppressive systems and explored subjects like injustice and inequality. His songs tackled social and political issues, advocating for civil rights and freedom from oppression.
- Tosh was an outspoken advocate for the legalisation of marijuana, and his songs often featured references to the substance. His song “Legalize It” became a rallying cry for the legalization movement, and it helped to bring the issue to the forefront.
- Tosh was one of the first reggae artists to incorporate elements of rock and funk into his music. His experimental approach to music was unprecedented and it helped to broaden the scope of the genre.
- Tosh was also one of the first reggae artists to tour extensively outside of Jamaica. His international tours helped to introduce the reggae sound to new audiences, and his live performances were renowned for their passionate energy and intensity.
- Tosh’s influence on the reggae genre was immense, and he was a major influence on emerging artists, such as Bob Marley. Marley’s early recordings were heavily influenced by Tosh, and the two artists collaborated on a number of tracks.
Tosh’s influence on the reggae genre is undeniable, and his legacy continues to live on today. His music has inspired a generation of reggae artists, and his unique style and powerful lyrics have helped to shape the genre.
3. What is Peter Tosh’s Legacy?
Peter Tosh is remembered as a beacon of justice and activism, both in his lyrics and lifestyle. He is known for his uncompromising stance on social justice, civil rights, and the struggles of the poor and oppressed. His intention was to be a voice for the voiceless and to use his music and words to speak for those without a voice.
His legacy can be felt through the work of the Peter Tosh Foundation, which works to “advance justice, human rights, and peace throughout the world.” His lyrics are also still being used and quoted to inspire social change and justice.
Some of his lasting legacies include:
- His songs, which are still being used to inspire social change and justice.
- His work with the Peter Tosh Foundation, which continues to advocate for justice and human rights.
- His commitment to ensuring that his music and lyrics were used to empower the voiceless and fight for justice.
- His iconic dreadlocks, which are still seen as a symbol of Rastafarianism and social justice.
Peter Tosh’s legacy lives on through his music, his words, and his commitment to justice and human rights. He was a true revolutionary, and his music and words will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
4. What were some of the social and political issues Peter Tosh spoke about?
Peter Tosh was a Jamaican reggae musician and songwriter who was a major figure in the Rastafari movement. He was a passionate speaker and his music often reflected his strong beliefs and convictions. He spoke out against oppressive regimes, the spread of nuclear weapons, the mistreatment and exploitation of the poor and disenfranchised, and the need for racial and social justice.
- Oppressive regimes
- The spread of nuclear weapons
- Mistreatment and exploitation of the poor and disenfranchised
- Racial and social justice
5. How did Peter Tosh’s Upbringing Shape His Music and Ideologies?
Peter Tosh was born in Jamaica and raised in a rural village in Westmoreland. This upbringing strongly influenced his music and ideologies. He grew up learning about the struggles of the poor, the importance of self-sufficiency, and the power of music. Here are some of the ways his upbringing shaped his music and ideologies:
- Peter Tosh was exposed to the struggles of poverty and oppression from a young age. This awareness of inequality inspired him to write music about social justice and equity.
- He was strongly influenced by the reggae music of the time and was inspired to create his own blend of reggae, dub, and rock.
- He experienced the power of music firsthand, as many of his early songs were in response to the political and social issues he saw in his community.
- He also believed in self-sufficiency and encouraged people to take pride in their work and be independent.
- Tosh was also an advocate for the Rastafarian movement and its principles of peace, love, and justice.
These values and influences from his upbringing can be seen throughout Peter Tosh’s music and ideologies. His songs are still relevant today and his message of justice and equality is still inspiring people around the world.
Conclusion
Peter Tosh was a revolutionary artist and musician who pushed boundaries and spoke out against injustices. His music and activism will always be remembered as an inspiration to people around the world. He was an artist who believed in the power of music to bring people together, and his legacy will continue to influence generations of musicians and activists to come.
