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John Masouri

Steppin' Razor: The Life of Peter Tosh Hardcover – September 1, 2013

by John Masouri (Author)

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One of reggae's most extraordiinary stories, the life of Peter Tosh came to an end when he was brutally murdered in 1987. Now revered second only to Bob Marley among reggae audiences worldwide, Tosh was awarded the Order of Merit as Jamaica celebrated 50 years of independence. Set against a backdrop of 70s Jamaica, here are the stories behind hits like ""Legalise It,"" ""Equal Rights,"" ""Get Up Stand Up,"" and ""Johnny B. Goode;"" Tosh's famous appearances at the 1978 One Love Peace Concert and his now legendary adventures with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Tracing his recording career, we learn of his encounters with Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker, and volatile relationships with Bob Marley and Lee ""Scratch"" Perry. Tosh's darker side is also revealed in tales of the singer's fascination with the occult and in unprecedented detail, his untimely and tragic demise.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Masouri is the UK's pre-eminent reggae journalist, having documented the music for over 25 years in Black Echoes and Echoes Magazine, and writing for numerous specialist publications around the world. His work has also appeared in Mojo, NME and The Guardian. A frequent contributor to radio and TV documentaries - including the BBC's Arise Black Man: The Peter Tosh Story - he is the co-author of the Guinness Book of Reggae and the Birgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. He is the author of Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's Wailers.

Product details

Hardcover : 496 pages
ISBN-10 : 1847728367
ISBN-13 : 978-1847728364
Item Weight : 2.16 pounds
Product Dimensions : 6.47 x 1.72 x 9.47 inches
Publisher : Omnibus Press (September 1, 2013)
Language: : English

Best-sellers rank #2,276,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#155 in Reggae Music (Books)
#6,925 in Rich & Famous Biographies
#12,967 in Composer & Musician Biographies

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29 ratings

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Jon

Now I Know Peter Tosh

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019

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Although this is a lengthy read - 500+ pages - by the end of it you will have a full understanding of who Peter Tosh was and the tribulations he went through. With that said a lot of his motivations remain a mystery - he was a very unique person. However, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how all his songs came to be and were produced. A very well researched book.

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TEC

Very good biography

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2019

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I enjoyed this book. I only wish the author would have written more about Peters relationship (or lack of) with his children. In his audio tapes he talked about how it felt to be considered illegitimate yet all 10 of his children were as well. Overall I thought the book was a pretty comprehensive look at his personality and life.

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kristen227

Tosh meets up with Babylon and ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016

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This is an excellent and eye opening bio of the much maligned reggae singer/songwriter Peter Tosh. Masouri shows how the music industry, at every turn, works to stifle true artists in exchange for pushing bubble gum music and commercial pop-rock. In so many instances the book shows how unfairly Tosh's music was reviewed by the so-called critics in both the US and UK.

I found the book very interesting in exposing the recording process that cover 7 albums in 10 years, and the incredible musical line-up that Tosh
gathered to complete his vision. The outstanding work of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare is evident throughout and their falling out with Tosh
is once again a financial and not a musical one..

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James Snidow

been diagnosed with Reggaemylitis? A Must Read book on the Mystic Man

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2013

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After reading the author's earlier and much recommended book on Familyman Barrett, I totally looked forward to reading this book. Not only is this the only biography on Peter Tosh at this time, it is the only one. That said if you really are interested in learning more about the very complex man that Peter was, this is the book for you. Many of the questions I've asked over the years about Peter were finally answered after reading this book and I think it would be fair to say that any fan of Peter Tosh will want a copy of this book. After visiting Peter's burial site in Belmont, Jamaica and after seeing first hand what needs to be done to finish the Peter Tosh Memorial Site and Museum is for more fans to come visit but also to help support the family make this dream come true. I've myself spent time learning about Peter first hand from Roger Steffens and Fully Fullwood and a lot of what they've told me matches what I read in this book. It was good to read about Peter producing a Ska band from Chicago called Heavy Manners as well as his work with the Rolling Stones. I'd have to say after reading this Peter was a revolutionary person who suffered for his art. I'd have to say after reading many books about Reggae and music in general, if it makes you want to listen to the music while you are reading then the author has done his job. I'd have to say without any reservations, John Masouri has done the memory a great service to the memory of Wolde Semayat aka Peter Touch aka Peter Tosh aka Winston Hubert McIntosh OM.

Don't hesitate get yours today! I'd also recommend getting the Peter Tosh acoustic release called I am that I am
to listen to as you read this book

2 people found this helpful

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Ari

Excellent biography of the reggae king!

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2016

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I loved this book as much as I loved Peter Tosh. It had a lot of background and insight into the man and made you realize why he was so great.

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Amazon Customer

Biography and Data Dump Makes It Tough on Readers

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2013

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John did step up to take on a tough, first-time biography of a hugely complicated person/subject. Peter was the sort of person who was larger than life, and so virtually everyone (except, perhaps, John himself) had or has a range of opinions on him. So this book is basically an amalgamation of stories, opinions, perceptions and details, some of which are presented without description (or sometimes misidentification) of where or from whom such information or data had come from, and much of which is conflicting. John leaves the reader to make up her or his own mind, from a heap of such utter raw data, but that is particularly difficult given the fact that readers are blind to so much. John interjects his own opinion in a few parts of the book, but then usually covers that up with many other (often conflicting) accounts, so that (once again) a reader is left bewildered, or else free to move anywhere. I'm not certain that makes for an effective biography.

He portrays Tosh as angry and serious, but humorous and witty, and your general impression will probably depend on where you are in the book. This may seem true, but that may be based more on first blush-type accounts--most who knew Peter well describe him as having been very humorous, very intelligent and witty, but with a sense of earnestness and moral righteousness. Some may see this as arrogance or judgmentalism, but others will view it as integrity and a moral foundation. He was playful but respectful, suspicious but also somewhat naive.

John's choices of which stories to include, and which ones are NOT included, are curious (and may indicate that he had not spoken to many who knew Peter well, including his family). To be fair, his descriptions of Tosh's reviews by the UK press is particularly interesting and insightful. His reports on Tosh's time in Africa was also interesting, and his discussions of Tosh's time with Marlene Brown was also pretty clear and seems on point.

But John does not deal with the alleged "Marley vs. Tosh" media nonsense particularly clearly--he does not indicate what the musicians, friends and family all say: that the core was some hurt feelings of abandonment of what essentially had been a Wailers "family" by Marley, but as with all cases of hurt feelings, it was based upon fundamental love and admiration, all of which otherwise was deeply enshrouded with media fantasy, exploitation and spin (of like ilk to "Lennon vs. McCartney" and other alleged internal squabbles).

Tosh, Marley and Livingston were all phenomenally gifted. Tosh and Livingston probably were more gifted vocally, but that just enabled them to harmonize with great sweetness, and Marley had a great voice for lead vocals. Tosh was a naturally gifted musician and artist. Marley had incredible songwriting skills, but so did Tosh. And like Lennon and McCartney, Tosh and Marley had a yin and yang effect on each other in their songwriting. John blessedly points this out in the first third of his book, but then it becomes lost in all the data dump of conflicting details and reports and opinions. In attempting a magnum opus, sadly, the truth about Peter is lost under all the detritus.

14 people found this helpful

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Brian Pallas

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2017

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If you like Peter Tosh, I think you'll like this book. I enjoyed it a lot.

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brent ostler

it's been worth the wait.

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2013

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If you are into Peter, Bob and Bunny this book will answer alot of questions while providing a wonderful story. It's great to finally get a solid look at Peter's life. Now someone (ie: roger steffens) needs to release his book "old fire sticks" on Bunny so that we can complete an inside story on a truely great band with a great story to tell. I wonder why this book was held up for so long?

5 people found this helpful

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Jennifer Juniper

One of the greatest losses to mankind.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2017

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I have no words for this. It is almost too painful for me to read, as I just love this man and everything he stood for. I don't know that I will be able to read his terrible murder, it is just too savage, I cannot bear it. I'm not remotely religious, but I just thank the universe for the gift it gave us in this outstanding man and musician. Because I have no religion, I have no hesitation in saying his murderer deserves everything he gets, I have no compassion for monsters.

One person found this helpful

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edplusk76

Definitive biography of the great legendary Peter Tosh

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2013

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This book helped me discover the music of Peter Tosh again after more than 20 years of listening to reggae.

If like me you find famous Timothy White's biography of Bob Marley "Catch a Fire" annoying with its chaotic and long-winded writing style, you will probably love John Masouri's book as it is complete opposite. It is well written and organized, accurate and detailed but without irrelevant background information or poetic fillers.

Instead the book concentrates on Peter Tosh and his music. It goes chronologically through all the years of his life and is full of interviews and anecdotes.

The author does a great job of presenting Peter's complex character objectively and thoroughly not shying away from dark side of his personality. This makes this book a riveting read contrary to many hagiographic biographies of Bob Marley.

All in all, the book is a fascinating life story of the man "wanted by the evil forces" who didn't just talk but "walked the way and paid the consequences". I strongly recommend it to reggae fans or to anyone interested in good biography.

10 people found this helpful

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Bracknellneil

"Reggae Reality"... A MUST READ..

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2014

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As the reggae books market has gone from next to nothing to quite extensive this book really should not get overlooked! John Masouri is without doubt one of the most respected reggae journalists on the planet and this book dispels myths, hearsay and regurgitated half truths and shoots straight from the hip in the same style as Peter Tosh the man. John is undoubtably as suited to the task as anyone and gives a warts and all account of all the usual suspects and raises more than an eyebrow on characters such as Bunny Wailer and Lee Perry. A brilliant and essential read.. Neil Reeves.

3 people found this helpful

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Vanessa

Amazing..

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2017

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Amazing...and about time some one penned the life of Peter Tosh.....fantastic Quality book....loaded with pics and filled with tons of info!

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amoyC

A brilliant book, could not put it down

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2016

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A brilliant book, could not put it down, give the reader an onsite into the man, highly recommended, if you want to know how Winston Hubert McIntosh became Peter Tosh read this you will not be disappointed.

One person found this helpful

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Der Käufer

I'm Dangerous

Reviewed in Germany on July 4, 2018

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The best book about Peter Tosh. Everything is mentioned here in detail. The Relationship to his parents, to Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer. It is also mentions the Women in his life and how he views women. Disappointments, The View on Money and how he became to be known as the most militant wailer. The transformation from the funny, humorous Wailers Member to the Rasta Revolutionary Peter Tosh is very fascinating.

A brilliant book which shows you that Peter Tosh was determine to walk the walk and talk the talk. To view lies, corruption, racism in its ugly face and to speak the truth openly. A determine Rastaman who will fight for equal rights and justice for all mankind and the legalization of marijuana

If you want to know the saddest incident in his life
If you want to know about Peter Toshs mysticism and also about his involvement with duppies (ghosts, evil spirits)
If you want to know how he reacted about Bob Marleys Death
If you want to know about the conspiracies around his own death in 1987
If you want to know why Peter Tosh released only three Studio Albums in the 80ies

Then........get this book man

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Ryan

Worth the money!

Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2017

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I'm a little bit biased because I'm a huge Peter Tosh fan, that being said, I loved this book. Highly recommend.

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EvelynBa

About Time !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2013

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Excellent and about time a full book of his works and his legend put out there and published.His influence on the sound of The Wailers which help develop the genre called rock n roll should not be under written in the history of pop music.

3 people found this helpful

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Couldn't put it down

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2013

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Fascinating, detailed, tragic yet uplifting, the book gives an in depth background to Tosh's music. His renowned fiery nature is fully detailed but also the other sides of his complex personality, showing a kind man with a keen sense of humour and a love of pets! I would thoroughly recommend this long overdue biography on Peter Tosh.

9 people found this helpful

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K P BARBER

Long overdue

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2013

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Finally a book worthy of the great man himself. Excellent writing of a fascinating life story (the cover alone is like a splash of sunshine)

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Brian McSheffery

Peter Tosh all sugar and spice

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2014

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stunning read - dont read much as i always wander off from books - but this book has grabbed my attention from start to finish - been a massive reggae fan for years since 1981 - Peter Tosh always mystified me - he was the Don of The wailers in my mind and never got the credit he deserved - this book does'nt miss the punches - tells the story of Peter Tosh all sugar and spice !! Bri McSheffery Big Love Reggae Radio

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jon

good book... great man!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2014

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Good read!.. seems to be a very honest account of the great mans life. Nice to finally get a biography of Peter.
delivered on time. No complaints!

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ronald vester

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2014

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Great story by John Masouri.

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Kayla

None Shall Escape

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2015

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Please ignore my star rating for this book. It represents the holy trinity: Selassie our Father, Yashowah our Son and the Holy Spirit our mystical consciousness. I thank John Masouri for the work he performed in writing this biography. It is a good read, with many interesting and amusing anecdotes. However, it reproduces in sentiment many bourgeois (White) concepts, for example the existence of mental illness, and ignores all proletarian (Black) reality, revolutionary transformation of society.

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