Steppin' Razor the Life of Peter Tosh

Description

This is the very first biography of Peter Tosh, rude boy, founder member of The Wailers and a compelling recording artist in his own right. Tosh was an abrasive man who would eventually fall victim to his own uncompromising personality, ultra-radical politics and a fearsome 'gangsta' reputation. One of reggae's most extraordinary stories, the life of Peter Tosh could have only one end. He was murdered in a gunfight at his own home in 1987. One year later his album "No Nuclear War" won the first ever Grammy award for best reggae album. Here are the women, the drugs and the story behind Legalise It, Tosh's famous early plea for the decriminalisation of marijuana. His personal musical odyssey is explored in detail as he strove to emerge from the shadow of Bob Marley, eventually signing a contract with Rolling Stones Records. Tosh's darker side is also revealed and the book includes an account of a notorious standoff with Keith Richards involving a machete and a loaded rifle!

An experienced writer on music of black origin, John Masouri has been a contributor to Echoes since 1990 and his work has appeared in Mojo, Music Week, The Guardian and NME. He's the co-author of the Guinness Book of Reggae and the Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae and has contributed to several radio and TV programmes about Jamaican music. He is also the author of Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's Wailers, also published by Omnibus Press.