Reggae legend Toots Hibbert died on September 11, 2020 at the age of 77 -
Kevin Winter / Getty Images for Coachella / AFP
Jamaican singer Toots Hibbert, a historical reggae figure, died on Friday at the age of 77 in a Kingston hospital where he had been admitted with respiratory symptoms.
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Frederick Nathaniel" Toots "Hibbert, surrounded by his family, at the West Indies University Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica," his group Toots and the Maytals announced on the networks social.
The cause of death was not specified but his entourage had let it be known at the end of August, on the group's Facebook account, that Toots Hibbert had been admitted to the hospital where he "was awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test ".
He was then plunged into an artificial coma, following "respiratory complications".
Toots Hibbert left at 77.
His biggest hit here, in what is still considered today to be one of the best live performances of all time, all styles combined
Toots and the Maytals - Live - 54 46 That's my Number - YouTube https: // t. co / v664hn4ATy
- Matteu Maestracci (@MMaestracci) September 12, 2020
At the origin of reggae
Although he is less known than his compatriot Bob Marley, it is Toots Hibbert that we attribute the origin of reggae with a song released in 1968,
Do the Reggay
.
The musical genre inseparable from Rastafarianism, a spiritual movement which sanctifies the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and promotes the use of ganja, or marijuana, has enjoyed great worldwide success thanks to classics by Bob Marley and his group the Wailers.
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
Bob Marley's son Ziggy immediately paid tribute to Toots Hibbert, who had become a second father to him.
“I spoke to him a few weeks ago and told him how much I love him,” he tweeted.
His spirit is with us, his music fills us with energy and I will never forget him.
"
"A great loss for the world of music"
Mick Jagger also paid tribute to the Jamaican singer.
"Very sad to hear of Toots Hibbert's passing," the Rolling Stones star tweeted.
He had such a powerful voice, and on stage he always gave all his energy.
A great loss for the world of music.
In a portrait of the Jamaican singer published last year in
Rolling Stone
, Keith Richards marveled at Toots Hibbert's voice.
“As a singer, he's incredible,” he said.
His voice reminds me a lot of Otis Redding's.
"
Born in May Pen, Jamaica, in 1945, Toots Hibbert was the last of a family of seven children.
He had grown up singing gospel music in a Baptist church choir.
A true man-orchestra, he could play all the instruments used in his group.
He had just released an album,
Got To Be Tough
, which marked the expected return of his band Toots & The Maytals, and he was still giving concerts in January 2020.
People
Kool & the Gang co-founder Ronald Bell has died aged 68
Series
Disappearance of Diana Rigg: The three roles that make her a legend
Reggae
Song
People