Tributes

Peter “Peetah” Anthony Morgan passed away on Feb. 25, 2024, at the age of 50. While many know him as the Lead Vocalist of the Iconic International 3-time Grammy Award Winning Band (Morgan Heritage), his humility, spirituality, wisdom, infectious smile, and selfless personality are what those who knew him personally will remember and cherish. Peter was born on July 11, 1973, through the union of the Honorable Bishop Ras Denroy and Hyacinth Morgan in Brooklyn, NY. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Springfield, MA where he began to develop his passion for music. At the tender age of 9, he began his journey as a prolific singer and songwriter. It was during his teenage years that he helped to form the eight-member band which later became a quintet and finally a trio. Despite the changes to the band, he remained focused on not only using his gift to entertain but to educate. He and his group were a voice for the voiceless and used their platform to shed light on the injustice and inequality that plagues the world. The groups professional career took shape in 1992 when the band made its public appearance as Morgan Heritage on the main stage at the Reggae Sunsplash Festival in Jamaica, WI. Immediately after their monumental performance, the band was signed to MCA Records where they recorded their first album “Miracle.” After the release of the album in 1994, the group moved to his parents’ homeland of Jamaica, WI. A few of his most significant accomplishments with Morgan Heritage included: working with reggae producers Bobby “Digital B” Dixon and Lloyd “King Jammy” James, which led to the release of their second album Protect Us Jah (1996), followed by One Calling (1997), and the spiritually-inclined Don't Haffi Dread (1999). In 2016, the group received their first Grammy Award for the ‘Best Reggae Album’ for “Strictly Roots.” In August 2023, he was recognized with the band by the Prime Minister of Jamaica as a Reggae Icon in celebration of Jamaica’s 61 years of Independence. His steadfast dedication led to over 30 years in the music industry which yielded 13 studio albums and world tours covering various continents including Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America along with the Caribbean Islands and South Pacific Islands. Although he was a frontman who hit stages across the globe, he enjoyed the finer things in life. During his downtime he greatly enjoyed spending quality time with his wife and children. Daily activities including taking his youngest children to sporting practices and games, early morning walks with his wife in his community, watching historical documentaries and all genres of movies were major highlights of his family time. He was also a great chef and enjoyed cooking up a feast because he loved feeding his family. All these experiences gave him a joy that money could not buy. Peter is survived by his wife Maria ‘Tommy’ Gunabe-Morgan; 11 children (Emuna Rajkumar, Seraiah Rajkumar, Uriah Rajkumar, Destiny Morgan, Journey Morgan, Genesis Gunabe-Morgan, Tziyon Gunabe-Morgan, Jaalen Gunabe-Robinson, Thalia Gunabe Garcia, Janiyah Hall, and Aniyah Hall Osborne); 2 grandchildren (Zyaire Primo Osborne and Elijah Gunabe Garcia); his mother, 29 brothers and sisters; in-laws; and over 120 nieces and nephews. His band members (Una, Gramps, Lukes, and Mr. Mojo) vow to honor his life by carrying on the legacy which encompasses demonstrating a love for the MOST-HIGH and humanity. Most importantly, the band will continue to inspire hope and advocate for equality and justice for all mankind.

Tributes

Peter Anthony Morgan

July 11, 1973 - February 25, 2024