Bush Doctor: Peter Tosh at the Jamaica World Music Festival, 1982

The Jamaica World Music Festival, promoted by Feyline Jamaica Limited, is staged at the newly constructed Bob Marley Performing Arts Centre from November 25-27, 1982. Headlining the show are reggae superstars Peter Tosh and Toots and the Maytals.

Recently playing to sold out venues in the U.S., Tosh agrees to perform, however, Tosh being Tosh, he has a little surprise for everyone.

Tosh has a way with words like no other. He is an orator who should be mentioned alongside the finest orators in the history of mankind. Cicero…Caesar…Tosh. His fiery words and surefire delivery in the thickest Jamaican patois has caused the police baton to bless his head on more than one occasion. Peter’s performance at the Jamaica World Music Festival on November 27, 1982 is nothing short of stunning.

Opening with a cutting rendition of “Steppin’ Razor” Peter showers the crowd with anthems like “African,” “Not Gonna Give It Up,” “Rastafari Is,” and a particularly strong rendition of “Coming In Hot.” Owning the stage like only Peter can, he has the crowd in a tight grip when he launches into the second of his signature diatribes. Showing integrity, strength, and with a sense of duty to the suffering, he speaks of ganja, reincarnation, injustice, and his place alongside the oppressed “sufferahs” of the World.

My words could never provide an adequate description of this historic speech by Tosh. See for yourself.

Peter Tosh Speech at Jamaica World Music Festival
November 27, 1982

Setlist:
t01 – Introduction -> Stepping Razor
t02 – Speech
t03 – African
t04 – Coming In Hot
t05 – Not Gonna Give It Up
t06 – Walk, Don’t Look Back
t07 – Rastafari Is
t08 – I’m The Toughest
t09 – Bush Doctor
t10 – Speech
t11 – Get Up, Stand Up
t12 – Want I
t13- Legalize It