Peter Tosh: The Advocate Behind the Music — Black History Month

Peter Tosh was an activist and solo artist who used his music as a catalyst to call for cannabis legalization. The 1976 release of hit song “Legalize It!”, promoting legalization and equal rights became ingrained in Jamaica’s music and culture. 

Peter Tosh was born in Grange Hill, Jamaica, on October 19, 1944. He sang in the choir and learned how to play the organ when visiting his local church. He never quite fit in to the beliefs of the church community, so he left home in his teens for Trenchtown, a poverty-stricken area of Kingston, Jamaica.

In his youth, he took music lessons from Joe Higgs, who offered to teach young people at no charge. Through Higgs, Peter met Bob Marley, Bunny ‘Wailer’ Livingston and Junior Braithwaite who he performed with as “The Wailing Wailers”. With their first hit, “Simmer Down,” the “ska” style of music they played took hold.

L to R: Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, Peter Tosh

In 1967, the group became known as The Wailers transitioning their music from up-tempo ska to a slowed down rock-steady beat. Along with this change came the arrival of political messaging in their lyrics.

In 1969, The Wailers released their first full length album “Catch A Fire” and in 1970 they opened Tuff Gong Records. By 1976 the Wailers were established superstars riding a wave of incredible success that fueled solo careers. That year, Peter Tosh released his first solo record, Legalize It on CBS Records. It went on to be certified Gold and Platinum, propelling Tosh to the Reggae legend status he holds to this day.

“Singers smoke it

And players of instrument too

Legalize it, yeah yeah

That's the best thing you can do

Doctors smoke it

Nurses smoke it

Judges smoke it

Even lawyer, too”

- Peter Tosh, “Legalize it!”

Peter Tosh used his platform to speak out against hypocrisy in political, social, educational and economic systems. His outspoken activism made him a target of the police, leading him to endure numerous beatings and nights in jail. For the remainder of his career he used his music and his voice to fight for equal rights and to speak out for the vulnerable.

“I don't need no peace. I need equal rights and justice.” - Peter Tosh

His untimely death in 1976 left a nation and fans around the world in shock and mourning. Peter’s legacy of activism lives on today through his children and through the work of The Tosh Foundation.