Tribute album planned to repair deteriorating Peter Tosh mausoleum





TRIBUTE ALBUM PLANNED TO REPAIR DETERIORATING PETER TOSH MAUSOLEUM AND TO ERECT MEDICAL CLINIC, LIBRARY AND PETER TOSH MUSEUM IN JAMAICA


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2003

Plans have been confirmed for a tribute album to honor the legacy of Grammy Award winning reggae superstar, Peter Tosh.  Tosh, who was tragically murdered during a robbery in his home in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1987, was one of the founding members of the famed Jamaican reggae band "The Wailers" (later "Bob Marley and the Wailers"), and later went on to pursue a successful solo career, producing a string of hits and earning a Grammy Award  for his reggae album, "No Nuclear War," just after his death in 1987. Tosh was also an outspoken civil rights activist for his country, demanding government assistance for the poor, and centering his songs on such social issues as anti-apartheid against oppression and equal rights for all. The album will not only pay tribute to the late artist, but revenue from its sales will also provide the funds needed for the repair and renovation of Peter Tosh's Mausoleum in Belmont, Jamaica. Also planned is the completion of the Tosh Museum, which was partially erected back in 1995, and construction of a medical clinic, a library, and a gift shop.  The buildings will be erected on Tosh's burial site in Belmont, which is also the home of Tosh's mother Alvera Coke.

Veteran promoter Mike Malott, who conceived the album project will be working closely with Peter' s son; Dave Tosh who has joined the production team.  The album is planned for release the Tosh-Intel-Diplo record label with a major label handling the distribution.  The record label which was founded by Peter Tosh.  Malott is currently in discussions with three major labels regarding the release and states that the response has been very positive. Although contributors are still being solicited, several artists have expressed their interest in contributing a track to the album including multi-platinum Cypress Hill, multi-Grammy award winning artist Speech (Arrested Development), Slash, Matt & Duff formerly of Guns & Roses, Buddy Miles, Jani Lane (from Warrant) and acclaimed recording artist; Jeffery Gaines, blues guitarist extraordinaire Jimmie Vaughn, Peter Tosh's son; Andrew Tosh, Bad Brains, international music star Lucky Dube, Ben Harper, Sean Paul, Bob Andy, and international reggae great Lasana Bandele, who is also working on the project with Malott along with Dave Tosh.  The album will also feature a bone chilling acoustic version of "I Am What I Am" performed by Martha Davis of The Motels.  Also planned to be featured on the album is former Tosh guitarist, Donald Kinsey.  Kinsley is the person responsible for Tosh recording the Chuck Berry classic "Johnny Be Good" after suggesting it when Tosh was looking for something to finish up his release "Mama Africa".

The Foundation has been informed by Eric Clapton that he would be "more than happy" to sanction the use of a 1974 un-released Clapton version of Peter Tosh's "Whatcha Gonna Do" which actually features Peter Tosh performing background vocals for this "obviously worthwhile cause".  We have also been authorized to use a never before released version of Tosh's "Stop that train" recorded by the late Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead).  The foundation is also hoping to interest artists such as, Lenny Kravitz, Shaggy, Snoop Dog, and Bunny Wailer as well as others to contribute their version of their favorite Peter Tosh song to be included on the album.  Several artists have made donations towards the production costs including a generous donation from Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, Chrissie Hynes and others.  Artists are donating items to be auctioned off in a celebrity auction with proceeds going towards the project.

The concept for the album was conceived by Malott shortly after he and his fiancée moved to Negril, Jamaica in early September. Malott, a Peter Tosh fan, visited the burial site in Belmont.  Malott found the location was in need of repair, the Mausoleum's cinder-block walls stood partially erected and unchanged for years. It had been vandalized, and several items including Peter's own grave marker had been stolen. Very little money had trickled into the estate since 1987.  Malott contacted Peter's son, Andrew Tosh, whom Malott had promoted in the 90's, to discuss his desire to contribute towards the legacy of such a prolific and controversial artist.  Malott discussed his idea for creating a Peter Tosh tribute album featuring top name rock & roll and reggae artists.  The project would generate revenue needed to repair and restore the mausoleum, to complete the museum and gift shop.  Plans for a library and medical clinic had been previously proposed by brothers Andrew and David Tosh. Construction plans are currently being discussed with Norris Bell, a construction specialist from the nearby town of Sheffield.  Dave Tosh has now joined the production team at Malott's request.

Malott has also recently formed a partnership with international reggae star Lasana Bandale to create the Peter Tosh Legacy Foundation, which will organize and oversee the renovation project, along with Dave Tosh who will co-produce the project with the production team.  Bandele, who wrote and composed the hit singles "Living in Shacks" and "Storitela," and contributed to the CD "Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead," comes from the parish of St. James in Jamaica and now lives in San Francisco, California.  The foundation will also work to further Peter Tosh's dream to provide food to the hungry, medical assistance to the poor, and emergency funding and grants to assist in the start-up of Rastafarian-owned businesses in Jamaica.

Malott has also now formed a program called "Instruments For The Youth" which will work to provide musical instruments to needy children in Jamaica who have always wanted the chance to play an instrument.  The first shipment of 100 student sized guitars will be headed to Jamaica shortly.

The foundation also plans to produce a three-day music festival honoring the late music hero in Belmont to coincide with the completion of renovation.  The event would feature a wide array of top reggae and rock artists and will draw fans from all over the world.  Worrell King, who heads up King of Kings Promotions based in Jamaica, will work with the foundation to produce the massive event. Malott, who has promoted several reggae shows and made several trips to the island since the mid eighties, is overwhelmed by the opportunity to do something that will impact so many lives and Jamaica in such a positive way.  Along with preserving the legacy of not only Peter Tosh's name but his work as well, Malott exclaims that "I love Jamaica, and the people of Jamaica, I know I am at home here and I am greatly honored to have the opportunity to do this."

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For More Info Contact: Please Forward Tear Sheets To:
Judy Nettles, Publicist Peter Tosh Foundation
Peter Tosh Legacy Foundation 3376 Preakness Court
404/405-6196 Marietta, GA 30062
petertoshfoundation@go-jamaica.com
goldalbums@aol.com

Posted: Wed - February 12, 2003 at 09:22 AM      

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