Reggae Legend Toots Hibbert Dead At 77

Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert of the legendary Jamaican reggae band, Toots & The Maytals, is dead.

Toots Hibbert died at aged 77.

The Grammy award-winning ska, rocksteady and reggae legend was hospitalized early September, where he was also awaiting test results for the coronavirus. His cause of death has not been publicized.

READ: Reggae Legend ‘Toots’ Hibbert Hospitalized

The Toots & The Maytals official Twitter account issued this statement:

“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…”

READ: Notable Caribbean People Who Died By COVID-19.

Hibbert is credited with popularizing reggae music and even naming the genre – his 1968 single “Do the Reggay“ is the first song to use the term.

The frontman’s death comes mere weeks after Toots & The Maytals released “Got To Be Tough,” its first album in more than a decade.

For those mourning the loss of this reggae, ska and rocksteady giant, put this Toots & The Maytals playlist on blast today….

Toots is survived by his wife of 39 years, Doreen, and seven of his eight children.

The Caribbean has been hit hard this week. We lost Phyllis Coard, Owen Baptiste, King Swallow and now, Toots.

We at JAYBLESSED.com send love, light and healing to everyone feeling these major losses. Prayers up!

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Toots Hibbert Dead