Worrell King (left) of King of Kings Productions and Cordell Green speaking at the launch of 'Tribute to Peter Tosh 2002' on Wednesday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer YOUNG PERSONS who have never seen Bob Andy perform will get the chance to do so on October 19 this year when he, along with Bunny Wailer, will be on the 'Tribute to Peter Tosh' show, to be held in Negril, Westmoreland.
The line-up for the event, as well as other plans for the annual tribute to the reggae icon, were presented at the launch of the event at the Jamaica Pegasus on Wednesday evening.
The lively event featured snippets of performances from Bob Andy, De I Am and the Sane Band.
In addition, several references were made throughout the event about media practitioners for not recording Jamaican music history, as well as not playing the work of Tosh.
While the performances were the crowning to a good evening, the main reason for the gathering was to disclose the plans for the two events to be held in memory of Peter Tosh. They are the annual 'Symposium on Peter Tosh' and 'The Tribute to Peter Tosh' concert.
The symposium is the second one and will be held at the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre (SSLT) on the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, on October 12.
The presenters from last year were members of the academic community. Among them were Professors Carolyn Cooper and Barry Chevannes, as well as reggae historian Roger Steffens.
However, for this year the focus will be on the life and work of Peter Tosh through the eyes of persons who worked with him. Among the persons who will make presentations are one-time managers Copeland Forbes and Herbie Miller. Other presenters include members of the reggae artiste's backing band, Word, Sound and Power; Steve Golding; Mickey Chung and Sly Dunbar.
The organiser of the symposium, Clinton Hutton, explained to the gathering that more needed to be done to archive Jamaican music. He adds that the UWI was moving towards doing so.
In addition to the symposium, the musical tribute to Peter Tosh will also be held. The tribute for this year will be held at Central Park, Negril, in Westmoreland, which promoter Worrell King described as the best of the unknown venues in Jamaica.
The line-up for the event features Bob Andy, Bunny Wailer, Nadine Sutherland, Everton Blendah, Andrew Tosh and Eddie Fitzroy, as well as others.
While last year there was a 'nyabinghi' (singing and drumming) session, this year only the two events announced will be held.
In addition, for 2003 an award named after the man dubbed 'The Stepping Razor' will be presented to a member of the public. The award will not be restricted to musicians only but will be awarded to persons who are distinguished in their area, which may be academics, music or in the civic society.
The organisers pointed out that the award was not presented this year because they did not want to arbitrarily choose someone.
The high point of the evening, however, was Bunny Wailer's greeting to the crowd. Wailer pointed out that Tosh's work was eternal and he was happy to be present to remember the work of a man that would live on for generations.
