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The Peter Tosh Estate and the Reggae legend’s former manager Copeland Forbes have paid tribute to the late fashion mogul Kingsley Cooper, who was instrumental in establishing the Peter Tosh Museum at the Pulse Headquarters in Kingston.
Cooper, who was the founder of Pulse Investments, passed away on Tuesday in a Florida hospital at age 71.
Yesterday, a post on the official Peter Tosh Instagram page, while expressing sadness at his passing, hailed Cooper for his indelible contributions to the development of fashion, design and event planning the Caribbean region.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the transition of Kingsley Cooper – founder and chairman of Pulse Investments Limited, partner of the Peter Tosh Museum and a pioneer of the fashion and entertainment industry,” it noted.
“Kingsley’s contributions to the Caribbean, fashion, design and event planning is immeasurable. His presence will be greatly missed. May Mr. Cooper Rest in Power, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” it added.
“R.I.E.P Kingsley Cooper, attorney at law, a giant in the local fashion industry, Founder of Pulse, organizer of the Peter Tosh Music Festival and promoter of many reggae concerts in the 80’s & 90’s your works is well documented in the Jamaican entertainment industry. Walk Good,” Forbes noted on Facebook.
Minister of Entertainment Olivia Grange, who, at the opening of the Peter Tosh museum at Pulse’s headquarters at 38a Trafalgar Road in Kingston, had described it as “one of Jamaica’s most important music heritage sites”, also paid tribute to Cooper on Tuesday.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kingsley Cooper, owner of the Pulse modeling agency, businessman and lawyer… We know Kingsley was for many years the leader in the modeling business in Jamaica as well as a renown events promoter. He was a very patriotic and committed Jamaican who never hesitated whenever he was called on to serve his country,” Grange stated.
“And he served unconditionally, and for these reasons and more he earned my love, appreciation and respect and that of many Jamaicans from all walks of life. He served for many years on the Entertainment Advisory Board which falls under my Ministry,” Grange, who is a former manager for Bounty Killer, Patra and Shabba Ranks said.
The Peter Tosh Museum was officially opened in November 2016 at the Pulse Centre at Trafalgar Road in Kingston to honour the life and works of the Reggae legend.
The museum in Kingston was reopened on October 19, Peter Tosh’s birthday, after being closed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The museum showcases a collection of Peter Tosh’s memorabilia, including musical instruments, recordings, documents, songbooks, personal items like tour jackets and his unicycle, and his iconic M16-shaped guitar. According to the BBC, this guitar was given to Tosh in 1983 by a fan inspired by his hit song Coming In Hot.
Peter it is said, upon receiving the instrument, had declared that he would use it as his “musical weapon”.
Also called the Steppin’ Razor guitar, it was a major feature of many of Tosh’s performances until his murder in 1987.
English (US) ·