Reggae legend Toots Hibbert passed away on Sept. 11, after being in the ICU due to COVID-like symptoms. In his honor, artists such as Ziggy Marley, Mick Jagger, Warren Haynes and Trey Anastasio shared memories of the late reggae pioneer.
“The Legendary Toots Hibbert has passed,” Marley wrote via Twitter on Sept 12. “I spoke w/him a few wks [sic] 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.”
Haynes, who recorded and performed with Hibbert many times, shared a lengthy note on Hibbert’s death. “‘Toots’ was, in my opinion, the greatest Jamaican soul singer,” he wrote. “I say that not to downplay his immense role in the creation of Reggae music- he coined the term Reggae- but to point out that as a singer his voice stands among the giants like Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke etc. which is not to say that the other Reggae giants weren’t great soul singers in their own rites as well, but Toots was the ‘real fucking deal.’”
“I’m gonna miss Toots but the world of music is gonna miss him even more,” Haynes concluded. “As I stated earlier, we have lost another giant.” Read his full note below.
Trey Anastasio also shared a statement on Hibbert’s passing. “I was so sad to wake up this morning and hear about the passing of Toots Hibbert,” he wrote. “Like so many people, I’ve loved his music my entire life. It was ubiquitous, playing at parties and gatherings. It felt like an element, like air.” He went on to share a story about Toots & The Maytals recording at The Barn studio. Read his full statement below.
Mick Jagger shared some words in response to Hibberts passing, noting how hearing “Pressure Drop” was “a big moment.” “So sad to hear of Toots Hibbert’s passing,” he wrote. “When I first heard “Pressure Drop,” that was a big moment – he had such a powerful voice and on stage he always gave the audience his total energy. A sad loss to the music world.” Read his post below.
1 Comment comments associated with this post
Doug Potoksky
September 13, 2020 at 11:24 pmI was at the Glastonbury Festival UK. With a press pass. A lot of us where excited too see Paul McCartney to play. Closing act Saturday night. I bumped into Emily Eavis one of the organizers . I said to her. You must be psyched to see McCartney tonight. No! A bunch of us want to dance. So we will go see Toots play tonight. That answer always stayed with me. Toots=Dance. I had a chance to meet him in Boston. A master musician and a super human being! We will miss you Toots. R.I.P