Peter Tosh Photography

From 1963 to 1974, Jamaica’s Peter Tosh helped chart the course of the influential reggae band the Wailers alongside bandleader Bob Marley—arguably the most prominent reggae artist in history. After penning and recording some of the group’s biggest early hits—“Get Up, Stand Up,” “400 Years,” and “No Sympathy”—Tosh began his solo career in 1976.

In keeping with the Wailers tradition of writing from a socially and politically-charged perspective, some of this groundbreaking artist’s many progressive albums include Legalize It, Equal Rights, and No Nuclear War. Though he recorded for several major labels over the years, he scored the most mainstream exposure during his relationship with Rolling Stones Records, which also prompted collaborations with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Tragically, Tosh was killed in 1987 during a robbery at his home, but his legacy continues to burn brightly—starting with the 1993 documentary Stepping Razor: Red X. Tosh also has a hometown monument built in his honor, was posthumously awarded Jamaica’s prestigious Order of Merit, and has a slew of retrospective albums to his credit.