A Rift Between Legends
Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were not just reggae pioneers—they were brothers in music, revolutionaries in message, and central figures in the rise of The Wailers. But when Bob Marley passed away on May 11, 1981, fans around the world were stunned to learn that Peter Tosh—his longtime friend and musical partner—did not attend the funeral. The absence spoke volumes, but the reasons behind it are far more complex than most people realize.
From Brotherhood to Division
Peter Tosh and Bob Marley started as close allies in the early days of The Wailers alongside Bunny Wailer. They shared the same struggles, the same stage, and the same spiritual mission: spreading the message of Rastafari and fighting for the oppressed. But fame, politics, and differing personalities eventually drove a wedge between them.
By the mid-1970s, The Wailers had split. Marley went on to become an international icon under Island Records, while Tosh, fiercely independent and outspoken, forged a solo path with hard-hitting songs like “Equal Rights” and “Legalize It.” Tosh often criticized the music industry and even Marley’s choices—accusing him of softening the revolutionary message to gain global acceptance.
Why Tosh Refused the Funeral
Peter Tosh’s decision not to attend Bob Marley’s funeral wasn’t about hatred—it was about principle.
In interviews, Tosh said he felt that Marley’s death had been turned into a political spectacle. Government officials and international dignitaries who had once ignored or even criticized reggae music were suddenly front-row mourners. To Tosh, this was hypocrisy.
“Dem nevah love Bob when him alive. Now dem want to wear black and cry like saints,” Tosh was reported to have said.
He believed Marley’s funeral had been co-opted by the same system they both had fought against—turning a freedom fighter’s passing into a state show.
A Quiet Tribute, Not a Public One
Although he refused the funeral, Peter Tosh did mourn. He reportedly lit candles, burned incense, and held his own private ceremony in line with Rastafarian customs. In his heart, he never stopped loving Bob Marley. But to stand at a funeral surrounded by politicians, media, and “false mourners,” as he called them, would have gone against everything he believed in.
His tribute to Marley came not in tears or words—but in continued resistance. Tosh continued singing truth to power, pushing the boundaries of reggae, and demanding justice until his own tragic death in 1987.
A Complicated Relationship
The relationship between Bob Marley and Peter Tosh was never simple. It was filled with brotherhood, brilliance, and eventually, bitterness. But even in disagreement, they both stood for the same core message: freedom, truth, and dignity for all people.
Tosh once said, “Bob was a good brother. But me never go follow fashion. Me nah go play no games with Babylon.”
It was never about disrespect. It was about refusing to compromise.
Final Thoughts
Peter Tosh’s absence at Bob Marley’s funeral is one of reggae’s most misunderstood moments. It wasn't an act of spite—it was a stand of defiance. It was Tosh being true to who he was: a rebel, a warrior, and a man who refused to sugarcoat the truth, even when it hurt.
Both Bob Marley and Peter Tosh are legends. One brought reggae to the world. The other reminded the world not to forget why reggae exists.
Do you think Peter Tosh made the right decision?
Share your thoughts in the comments below—and let the reasoning behind his rebellion spark a deeper conversation.