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Peter Tosh Earth Strong

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Peter Tosh Earth Strong

Peter Tosh Earth Strong

By Steve James on Monday, November 12, 2012 - Photos by Steve James - 1 comment

Peter Tosh celebrations concert in Kingston.

Peter Tosh was awarded the third highest honour in Jamaica, the Order of Merit, on National Heroes Day. Then on Thursday October 18^th a concert was held at Studio 38 in New Kingston to celebrate the singer’s life and what would have been his sixty eighth birthday. The event was titled 'Get Up and Stand Up' and featured several artistes from past to present. Each artist who took the stage performed at least one of his hits and commented on the way in which they were influenced by him.

Former lead singer of Live Wire, Errol Bonnick did his rendition of Creation and Jah Guide to a receptive audience. The group One Third held their own while delivering Hot Hot Hot and Walk and Don’t Look Back. The Tuff Gong band which consisted of mostly children of Bunny Wailer delivered 400 Years, Dreamland and a few more. Peter Tosh’s youngest son joined the Tuff Gong band to do Downpressor Man, No Sympathy and I Am. Singer Bushman was a surprise act and delivered Jah Shine His Light and You Can’t Blame the Youth. Following his sweet delivery the audience demanded an encore. Dancehall singer Pinchers mesmerized the crowd with his early hits and his dancing. He closed his set by doing a medley of hits. At a few minutes to midnight Andrew Tosh, son of Peter Tosh, took the stage and asked for a minute of silence to celebrate his father’s birthday. Though short, Sister Carol, the mother of culture also turned in a powerful performance. Throughout the night, MC Ibo Cooper made special mention of those who were both present and absent who played a part in Tosh’s career. Among those who were present were Herbie Miller and Copeland Forbes, former managers of Tosh, The Tamlins, his backing band who performed earlier, his common law wife and even his chef.

The event marked a significant improvement to events held in the past to commemorate the singer’s birthday. It must also be noted that that Studio 38, located at Pulse headquarters, was the last place the Stepping Razor performed on Super Jam before his untimely passing in September 1987.