[RIP] Toots Hibbert

leroy · Sep 12, 2020

One of my favorites.

Toots Hibbert Dead at 77

Toots Hibbert, one of reggae's founders and most beloved stars with classics such as “Pressure Drop,” “Monkey Man” and "Funky Kingston," has died. He was 77.

Hibbert, frontman of Toots & the Maytals, had been in a medically-induced coma at a hospital in Kingston since earlier this month. He was admitted to intensive care after complaints of having breathing difficulties, according to his publicist. It was revealed in local media that the singer was awaiting results from a COVID-19 test after showing symptoms.

News of the five-time Grammy nominee’s ill health came just weeks after his last known performance, on a national live-stream during Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence celebrations in August.

A family statement said Hibbert died Friday at University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, surrounded by family.

Ziggy Marley, son of Bob Marley, tweeted about the death saying he spoke with Hibbert a few weeks ago and, “told him how much i loved him we laughed & shared our mutual respect,” adding, “He was a father figure to me.”

A muscular ex-boxer, Hibbert was a bandleader, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and showman whose concerts sometimes ended with dozens of audience members dancing with him on stage. He was also, in the opinion of many, reggae's greatest singer, so deeply spiritual he could transform “Do re mi fa so la ti do" into a hymn. His raspy tenor, uncommonly warm and rough, was likened to the voice of Otis Redding and made him more accessible to American listeners than many reggae artists. Original songs such as “Funky Kingston” and “54-46 That's My Number” had the emotion and call and response arrangements known to soul and gospel fans. Hibbert even recorded an album of American hits, “Toots In Memphis,” which came out in 1988.
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Buck Turgidson · Sep 12, 2020

leroy said: ↑

One of my favorites.
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Absolutely. **** 2020

The Captain · Sep 12, 2020

Never heard of him, probably heard the music. RIP.

I am going to have my wife call me Toots now.

rocketsjudoka · Sep 12, 2020

Just saw that.. Another great lost.

Buck Turgidson · Sep 12, 2020

leroy said: ↑

One of my favorites.

Toots Hibbert Dead at 77

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There's a couple from '09, but now that we can post vids and music again why don't you start a Reggae Thread?

rocketsjudoka · Sep 21, 2020

This came up on my YouTube feed this morning. Two legends.

Roscoe Arbuckle · Sep 21, 2020

77... A loss, but assumed.

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[RIP] Toots Hibbert

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