Peter Tosh and Robert Marley a Closer Look

By Dr Masimba Mavaza

Original author unknown.
Peter Tosh and Bob Marley were close bandmates and friends, both being founding members of the iconic reggae group “The Wailers,” but their relationship was sometimes strained due to perceived favoritism towards Marley particularly within their record label leading to some tension and resentment between them even though they shared similar Rastafarian beliefs and musical goals.

Both Tosh and Marley were core members of The Wailers alongside Bunny Wailer, contributing significantly to their early music together.While sharing a similar message, Tosh’s musical style was often considered more raw and politically charged compared to Marley’s more melodic and accessible approach which sometimes led to creative clashes.

Peter Tosh A student of Joe Higgs taught Marley, along with Neville Livingston (Bunny Wailer), how to play guitar, keyboards, and percussion.Some believe that their record label Island Records prioritized Bob Marley as the frontman, causing Peter Tosh to feel undervalued and resentful.Despite their occasional disagreements both artists are widely respected as reggae legends and their contributions to the genre are acknowledged.

Peter Tosh left the Wailers in 1974 to pursue a solo career after feeling he was receiving unfair treatment from the group’s manager, Island Records president Chris Blackwell.

Tosh and Bunny Wailer felt they were being treated unfairly and paid disproportionately. Tosh often referred to Blackwell derisively as “Whiteworst”.

Wailer subsequently left the Wailers in 1973 and adopted the name “Bunny” in pursuit of a solo career after balking when Chris Blackwell wanted the Wailers to tour freak clubs in the United States stating that it was against his Rastafari principles.

Tosh was upset that Blackwell gave the group’s starring role to Bob Marley, who was lighter-skinned than Tosh.In 1974, Blackwell refused to release Tosh’s solo album.

Tosh and Marley’s relationship was strained, and Tosh was upset that Marley continued to use the Wailers’ name.Tosh was a versatile musician and wrote or co-wrote many of the Wailers’ hit songs, including “Get Up, Stand Up”, “400 Years”, and “No Sympathy”. His solo albums, including Legalize It (1976), Equal Rights (1977), and No Nuclear War (1987), featured political messages.

Most reggae fans end up being shocked and disappointed when they’d find out that Bunny Wailer & Peter Tosh didn’t attend Bob Marley’s funerał.