Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!

Toots Hibbert Remembered
Legendary Jamaican Singer Passed On

Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.

start_here_if_new_image_link

see_jamaica_in_videos_banner_july_2024_large
toots_hibbert_jamaican_singerJamaican Singer Frederick 'Toots Hibbert | Photo Credit @danielmielniczekphotography

A Legend Passes On
By Kesha Stewart | Associate Writer 

Midnight shades, flamboyant yet rootsy attire, a 100 megawatt smile and a compelling stage presence, complemented the mellow baritone vocals of legendary singer, The Honourable Fredrick Nathaniel ‘Toots” Hibbert O.J., product of Jamaica (of course).

See Also: Top Reggae Quotes & Sayings about Life, Family, Religion

New! Take a piece of Jamaica with you💃!

Savour the memories!  Now you can get your authentic Jamaican souvenir items, as well as traditional Jamaican herbs, spices and housewares on our popular e-store. Click Here to learn more.


And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!

He was gifted to us on December 8, 1942. The May Pen, Clarendon native who was the last of seven children spent his life in music as a singer, songwriter, bandleader and musician. He started out in church singing gospel music, later on ska, rocksteady, reggae and roots reggae were the genres under which he focused his musical talents. 

He and his band known as the Maytals rocketed onto the scene in the 1960s when they rocked the airwaves with songs like Pressure Drop and Monkey Man.

His ambition to become a performer was evident at school too where he said he was complimented for his vocals by one of his teachers.

After the passing of his parents three years apart he came to Funky Kingston and lived with an older sibling (John) and eventually became a barber.  

A Barber?

How does a barber become a mega star though? During his time as a barber he became friends with Jerry Matthius and Raleigh Gordon.

They were subsequently discovered by Clement “Coxsone” Dodd and he signed them to Studio One. 

This was the commencement of Toots and The Maytals. Fever, Bam Bam, and Sweet and Dandy followed.

Of note, the band holds the record of most number one songs in Jamaica with 31 chart toppers.

I suppose Toots Hibbert would have been a great barber but we can be happier today that he made his contribution to Jamaica and the world through his fantastic musical talent. 


Jail & Injury

Gears shifted into overdrive after a slight hick-up in 1967 when he was sentenced to jail for marijuana possession.

His adversity became his triumph and 54-46 (That’s My Number) a direct reference to his prison number, tells the story.

From this song much of the outside world (particularly the UK) got a chance to Do the Reggay. Toots being credited with the coining of the name which identified the genre of now known as reggae when this particular song was released in 1968.

Evidently Toots had heart and not much Pomps and Pride (1972) although he and his band recorded with the likes of Shaggy, Ziggy Marley, Eric Claypton and Willie Nelson among other notables and opened for the Rolling Stones on several occasions as well as The Whos (in 1975).

I can say this because in May 2013 he was injured after a vodka bottle was thrown on stage by an enthusiastic fan. 

Despite being concussed, having to receive 6 staples to his head, and cancelling the remaining tour appearances, Toots showed heart by writing to the judge to be lenient in his sentencing of the individual citing that prison can be tough.

Although initially traumatized, the Got to be Tough singer overcame his fears of performing in public and returned to the stage three years later.

A Perfect Wonder

It is a wonder, a perfect ponder why some things don’t go the way we planned. After all, 2020 was planned as a full year for the reggae legend who had tours slated for England, other parts of Europe and the United States. He was calling us to Rise Up Jamaicans in the Festival song Competition where he started in 1966. 

Full circle if you ask me, although not a winner; this time he was placed in the to 10. To top it all off he released what is now his final album Got to be Tough on August 28, 2020. 

Fate intervened on Friday September 11, 2020 at 10:35 pm Fredrick Nathaniel ‘Toots” Hibbert, the three-time festival song winner, passed on after being hospitalized with respiratory challenges and being placed in a medically induced coma. He was awaiting COVID19 test results. 

The Tributes

The Government of Jamaica, Jamaicans from all walks of life, the diaspora and even celebrated international megastars paid homage to the life and work of this Jamaican treasure. Here are a few snapshots.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Ms. Olivia Grange speaking on behalf of the government stated that, “Jamaica is grateful for his life and work and the contribution he made to the development of Reggae music.” 

For Anthony Miller, a highly respected entertainment journalist and a hard hitting, super-tough judge on Digicel Rising Stars, Toots was a “Reggae superhero”, he expressed that he “Rated the musician but was fonder of the man”, Miller also praised Toots’ “voice”, “moves” and “the uniqueness of his talent.”

The part that really struck me was the unemotional Miller’s confession that he, "can’t stop crying." 

Mick Jagger, a founding member of the Rolling Stones expressed that Toots had a “powerful voice and on stage, he always gave the audience his Total energy.” He described Toots’ passing as a “sad loss to the music world.”

Of course Toots and the Maytals opened for the Rolling Stones in their Bigger Bang Tour.

Ziggy Marley who remembered Toots as a “father figure” with a “genuine nature” stated that he was “fully in sorrow” at Toots’ passing.

Others labeled Toots Hibbert as a “pioneer”, “legend”, “giant”, “great singer” and a “great stage performer.” 

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), who is responsible for the preservation of our culture, declared that “Young people need to study Toots.”

Toots and the Maytals received their highest professional accolade in 2005 when they were awarded a Grammy for their album titled True Love. They have a total of 5 nominations. 

Having been awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2012 Toots became the Honourable Fredrick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert O.J.

Rest Well Toots

His wife of 39 years and his 7 surviving children can be comforted by the fact that his words and works will surely echo across future generations.

After 77 Sweet and Dandy years we reluctantly say goodbye to the Nyah Man. It would be good if we could respond to his plea and “Rise Up Jamaicans, stand up and take a stand, we are all God’s people, we should live as one”.

See Also: Did Reggae Music Originated In Jamaica?

WATCH VIDEO: Watch Toots & The Maytals Live at Summerjam 2017 On YouTube

You might like these as  well

Sources & References for Toots Hibbert


  1. Savage, Mike, "Obituary: Toots Hibbert - the man who coined the word reggae", BBC.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54129368

  2. Mahmood & Sullivan, 'Toots' Hibbert, Jamaican reggae legend, dies aged 77', CNN.COM, https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/12/entertainment/jamaica-reggae-toots-hibbert-death-scli-intl/index.html

  3. Rezaian, Jason, "How reggae got its soul, and other lessons from Toots Hibbert", https://www.washingtonpost.com/, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/14/how-reggae-got-its-soul-other-lessons-toots-hibbert/

Return to Jamaica Culture from Toots Hibbert
Return to My-Island-Jamaica.com Homepage from Toots Hibbert 

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

JAMAICA_ON_A_BUDGET_EBOOK_COVER_LEAN

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise!

JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget!

I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

my_island_jamaica_channel_tv

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Jamaica_subscribe_button

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

copyscape
Back To The Top Of This Page

Like My Site? Please Click Here To Share It With Your Friends

Home   |   JOIN US   |   Site Search   |   Have Your Say   |   Archives   |   Old Archives   |   Contact   |   Disclaimer   |   TIP ME!   |   Link To Us


Do like I did! Share your passion
(about your city, hobby or experience) and make a living from it. Click Here to see how.

By Wellesley Gayle   |   Copyright © 2007-2024 My-Island-Jamaica.com   |   All rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Policy