What Bob Marley’s Fans Did When Peter Tosh Refused to Attend His Funeral

What Bob Marley’s Fans Did When Peter Tosh Refused to Attend His Funeral

When news spread that Peter Tosh had refused to attend Bob Marley’s funeral in May 1981, reactions among Marley’s fans were swift, emotional, and deeply divided. As one of the original Wailers, Tosh was seen by many as Bob’s musical brother—someone who had been there from the beginning of their rise from Trenchtown to international fame. His absence from the state funeral, therefore, shocked and angered many fans who expected unity and respect during such a monumental moment in Jamaican history.

Some fans were deeply hurt and offended. To them, Bob Marley’s funeral wasn’t just a personal goodbye—it was a national and global farewell to a prophet of peace and unity. They believed that Peter Tosh’s absence was disrespectful, not just to Marley but to the millions who loved him. Fans wrote letters to newspapers and radio stations expressing their disappointment, and some even accused Tosh of jealousy and bitterness over Marley’s success. In the eyes of these fans, Tosh had turned his back on a moment that called for unity and love—values both he and Marley had preached through their music.

However, not all fans reacted with anger. Many understood, or at least tried to understand, the deeper reasons behind Tosh’s decision. Those who followed Tosh closely knew he was fiercely principled and had always spoken out against what he saw as hypocrisy within the system. To them, his absence wasn’t an act of hatred—it was a powerful protest. They believed Tosh was remaining true to the revolutionary spirit he and Marley had once shared, and that he was calling out the very system that had ignored Bob during his life, only to glorify him in death.

Some fans used the moment to reflect on the strained relationships within the reggae movement and the pressures Marley and Tosh had both faced from the industry, politics, and media. While emotions ran high, many respected Tosh for standing by his beliefs, even in a time of grief.

Ultimately, Peter Tosh’s refusal to attend Bob Marley’s funeral sparked intense debate among fans, but it also highlighted the passion, complexity, and power of reggae’s message. It was a reminder that both men, in life and death, stirred powerful emotions and stood unshaken in their truths.