Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert, Jamaican singer and songwriter has passed away at 77.
The legendary musician fronted the reggae and ska band Toots & the Maytals from the early 1960s.
According to the group which announced his death on Saturday, said he “passed away peacefully” in Kingston, Jamaica surrounded by his family.
Although no cause of death was given, Hibbert had been tested for coronavirus in the last two weeks and was put into intensive care.
The statement reads;
It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.
The family and his management team would like to thank the medical teams and professionals for their care and diligence, and ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief. Mr. Hibbert is survived by his wife of 39 years, Miss D, and his seven of eight children.
It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica… pic.twitter.com/zOb6yRpJ7n
— Toots & The Maytals (@tootsmaytals) September 12, 2020
Hibbert is credited with popularising reggae music and even naming the genre – his 1968 single “Do the Reggay” is the first song to use the term.
Ziggy Marley, the son of reggae star Bob Marley, said he had recently spoken with Hibbert.
He tweeted;
The Legendary Toots Hibbert has passed i spoke w/him a few wks ago told him how much i loved him we laughed & shared our mutual respect. He was a father figure to me his spirit is w/us his music fills us w/his energy i will never forget him RIP.
The Legendary Toots Hibbert has passed i spoke w/him a few wks ago told him how much i loved him we laughed & shared our mutual respect. He was a father figure to me his spirit is w/us his music fills us w/his energy i will never forget him RIP MIGHTY & POWERFUL NYAH FYAH BALL 😢 pic.twitter.com/zIofrbYZU0
— Ziggy Marley (@ziggymarley) September 12, 2020
Hibbert’s death comes just weeks after Toots and the Maytals released their new album, Got to Be Tough, the band’s first full-length LP in more than 10 years.
He has been described as “the world’s greatest living reggae singer” and “one of the 100 greatest singers of all time”, Rolling Stone reports.
May his soul rest in peace.
