Peter Tosh, the fiery and fearless reggae legend, was never one to back down. From his days with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer in The Wailers to his solo career filled with political resistance and powerful truth-telling, Tosh was always a voice for the voiceless. But on the night of September 11, 1987, his voice was silenced in the most tragic way — shot dead in his Kingston, Jamaica home.
In the years since his murder, many stories have circulated. But one detail continues to haunt fans and investigators alike: the phone call Peter Tosh made shortly before the fatal shooting. What was said? Who did he call? And did it have anything to do with what happened next?
Here’s what we know.
---
A Quiet Evening Turned Deadly
That night, Peter Tosh had just returned home after a long day. He was expecting guests — friends, associates, and perhaps a few musicians. According to reports from those close to him, Tosh was in good spirits. But sometime shortly before 8:00 p.m., he made a phone call — one that would soon become a chilling piece of reggae history.
The Mysterious Phone Call
Witnesses say that Tosh, seated in his living room, picked up the phone and made a brief, private call. While the exact contents of the call have never been publicly disclosed, sources say it was a conversation with a business associate, possibly related to ongoing tensions around his advocacy, financial matters, or music rights.
Others suggest he may have spoken to someone connected to local politics or law enforcement — an area Tosh had long criticized through his lyrics and activism.
Was it a warning? A setup? Or just an unfortunate coincidence?
Moments after that call, three men entered his home. At least one of them, Dennis “Leppo” Lobban, was known to Tosh — a man he had once tried to help after prison. What followed was a two-hour standoff that ended in gunfire, leaving Peter Tosh and two others dead, and several injured.
Was It Planned?
Many believe Tosh’s death wasn’t a random act of violence. His outspoken views — from legalizing marijuana to exposing corruption — had made him enemies. He had survived previous beatings and intimidation. Could the phone call have tipped someone off? Could it have been a cry for help?
Those questions remain unanswered.
Leppo was later convicted for the murder, but conspiracy theories continue to swirl. Some believe he wasn’t acting alone. Some say the government wanted Tosh silenced. Others think it was jealousy or betrayal from within his own circle.
---
The Tragedy of Silence
Peter Tosh’s murder wasn’t just the loss of a reggae icon — it was the silencing of one of Jamaica’s boldest voices. That phone call, brief and still mysterious, remains a tragic reminder of how close we were to losing more than just a musician. We lost a truth-teller.
And yet, through songs like “Equal Rights,” “Legalize It,” and “Get Up, Stand Up,” Peter Tosh still speaks.
---
Have you ever wondered what Peter Tosh would be saying about the world today? His voice is gone, but his message lives on.