Doors at 9 pm; Event at 9:30 pm
Tickets are $25 Day of Show / $20 Advance
Performers: Warrior King, JR. Toots, Reggae Angels, Rastarenes, Kurrency King, Jah Warri & Blaak Lung, Rock Stone, King Kanashi, Nyabinhhi Drummers, MC: Rocky Bailey
An array of reggae stars and new voices join to celebrate Peter Tosh’s birthday. Peter Tosh (Oct. 19, 1944 – Sep. 11, 1987), also known as the Mystic Man, the Bush Doctor, and the Son of Reggae, was a founding member of the Wailers with Bunny Livingston/Wailer and Bob Marley. Tosh was the guitarist and one-third of the singing team until 1974, when he and Bunny both left the Wailers to Marley and pursued solo careers. His first album and its title song, “Legalize It,” became an anthem and rallying cry for Rastafarians and others who consider marijuana an integral part of their religion. His 1978 “Bush Doctor” album was issued on the Rolling Stones’ label, and he toured as their opening act. Other hits included “Apartheid,” “Equal Rights,” and “Not Gonna Give It Up.” He received a Grammy Award in 1987 for “No Nuclear War,” but was killed that year during a robbery attempt at his Jamaican home. His spirit lives on in his message and music, which continues to inspire new generations of musicians, including tonight’s artists.
Jamaican-born singer Warrior King (Mark Dyer) found himself drawn to music as a youth. He managed to balance his musical pursuits with an education that included stints at St. Andrew Technical and the National Tools Engineering Institute. His first attempt at radio came in the late '90s with the Coco Tea-produced single "Nuff a Dem a Evil" with fellow DJ Little Blacks. The duo participated in numerous festivals and community events before Dyer, who was christened Warrior King by Frisco Kid, hit it big with the single "Virtuous Woman." The single, as well as his smooth brand of lovers rock and dancehall reggae, has been praised for its positive message, especially among the female population. His electrifying debut album of the same name was released in 2001, with Hold the Faith arriving in 2005.
