The biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, gives avid fans a look into Bob Marley's rise to fame and legacy in the world of reggae. It also shares important moments in Marley's career, along with key people. Let's explore the relationship between Peter Tosh and Bob Marley: what happened to them?
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for Bob Marley: One Love, so proceed with caution.
Peter Tosh and Bob Marley's Relationship Explained
Peter Tosh (born Winston Hubert McIntosh) was a Jamaica reggae musician who was part of the Wailers band with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer.
When they formed the group, Tosh was the only one who knew how to play musical instruments. Since he learned to play the guitar and keyboard on his own, Tosh became an inspiration for others to do the same.
He claimed that he started the group and he was the one who taught Marley how to play the guitar. Apart from being a musician, Tosh was an activist, who continues to inspire other artists with his legacy.
Peter Tosh and Bob Marley Feud: What Happened Between Them?
Contrary to the rumors, Peter Tosh was once a close friend and collaborator of Marley.
Unfortunately, their group experienced tensions and disagreements over how the band was to be managed. They also had trouble with the direction of their music, which led to the group's separation.
So what happened between Peter Tosh and Bob Marley?
In a 1985 Bob Marley memoir, Stephen Davis wrote that the resentment between the two "came to blows." After 12 years together, the trio went separate ways.
Tosh explained to Eric Olsen:
“It was belittling my integrity. I taught Bob Marley. How can you compare the teacher with the taught?”
He also had an interview with Roots Reggae Library where Tosh explained how his lesser status in the group affected him and how it "underestimates my ability. Me could not stomach that for another 12 years."
When he left the group, Tosh ventured on his solo career.
Why Was Peter Tosh Not at Bob Marley's Funeral?
Because of the alleged feud between Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, many believed Tosh's decision not to attend his former colleague's funeral was personal.
There were speculations that he decided not to attend the funeral over his growing resentment or jealousy towards the legendary reggae icon.
Some have even gone so far as to assume the song Burial had something to do with this decision. In the song, Tosh references attending a "damn funeral," which fans quickly presumed was a hit towards his former colleague.
But as history books show, Burial was a song that Tosh composed together with Wailer in 1968. During this time, there was no feud between Tosh and Marley. To recall, Marley died in 1981.
Another speculation that people have over Tosh's decision not to attend the funeral is that he did not like how Marley's funeral arrangements were being dealt with.
There were also references to the orthodox Rastafarian belief that one's death should not be mourned and, instead, celebrated his life.
Tosh was murdered during a home invasion in 1987.
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