Peter Tosh honoured

honour — on behalf of her late father during an annual national awards ceremony on the lawns of King’s House, the residence of Jamaica’s governor-general.
Tosh was a founding member of the Wailers, forming the three-man core of the group with Bob Marley and Bunny “Wailer” Livingston. Hard-hitting solo albums like “Equal Rights” and his work with the Wailers helped make homegrown reggae music known internationally. He was cut down at age 42 in 1987, murdered by robbers in his Jamaican home.
The always outspoken, defiant Tosh was known for forcefully denouncing apartheid, government corruption and calling for the legalisation of marijuana. Musical colleagues and fans say the lanky, baritone singer and guitarist was a mesmerising performer with a charismatic, larger-than-life personality.
Tosh is perhaps reggae’s most controversial figure. During the government-organised One Love Peace Concert of 1978, Tosh publicly accused Jamaica’s political leaders and the middle class of backing police brutality and politically charged gang warfare amid a legendary 20-minute diatribe. The Jamaican media severely criticised Tosh for the speech, delivered to an audience that included 200 foreign journalists and the prime minister.
For his uncompromising views and his insistence on openly smoking marijuana, the Rastafarian musician was severely beaten by police on several occasions, sustaining 32 stitches in his head, a broken rib, a fractured arm, and a punctured spleen during these altercations, according to former manager Herbie Miller.
For Miller, who is also curator of the Jamaica Music Museum, the honour for the former Wailer was a long time coming. He lobbied Jamaican administrations for years to formally recognise Tosh’s accomplishments.
“When you are about truth and rights and bucking the system, government recognition comes after a long wait,” Miller said on Monday.
For his family, the Monday ceremony was a big deal. Andrew Tosh, a veteran reggae musician who was 20 when his father was killed, said the award will help keep his musical and cultural legacy alive.
“I’m feeling really good that he’s finally getting honoured,” said the younger Tosh. — Sapa-AP.