In a historic convergence of musical giants, the summer of 1982 witnessed one of reggae’s most improbable collaborations as Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh embarked on a groundbreaking joint tour across North America. This remarkable partnership between two fundamentally different artists defied industry expectations and created what promoter Copeland Forbes would later call one of the finest productions in his six-decade career.
The tour emerged as a study in contrasts: Peter Tosh, the militant Rastafarian revolutionary fresh from recording his ‘Mama Africa’ album, paired with Jimmy Cliff, the refined Muslim musician whose mainstream success through films like ‘The Harder They Come’ and radio hits including ‘Wonderful World’ had made him reggae’s global ambassador. Industry skeptics predicted immediate failure, citing their divergent personalities and spiritual paths.
Forbes, who managed both artists, revealed the initial logistical challenges, particularly Tosh’s refusal to open shows. Cliff generously agreed to take the opening slot, allowing the tour to commence on August 12th at Mesa Community Center Amphitheater in Arizona. What followed was a triumphant two-month journey that silenced critics, with sold-out performances across 28 venues including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, and multiple Canadian cities.
The tour’s success demonstrated reggae’s expanding commercial appeal while highlighting the genre’s philosophical diversity. Tosh brought his activist anthems like ‘Legalize It’ and ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ to the stage, while Cliff delivered his more contemplative hits including ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ and ‘Sitting In Limbo’.
Following their North American success, the duo performed together at Jamaica’s World Music Festival in Montego Bay that November, and later at Bunny Wailer’s Youth Consciousness Festival in Kingston. The collaboration proved that artistic differences could coalesce into something extraordinary when fueled by mutual respect and musical excellence.
This historical moment gains renewed significance following Jimmy Cliff’s recent passing on November 24th at age 81. The Jamaican government will honor the two-time Grammy winner and Rock Hall inductee with an official funeral on December 17th, while Tosh’s legacy endures despite his tragic murder in 1987 at age 42.