Portland observer., September 16, 2020, Page 7, Image 7

September 16, 2020
Page 7
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
Beloved Reggae
Star Remembered
Toots Hibbert gave musical style its name
(AP) — Toots Hibbert, one of reggae’s
founders and most beloved stars who gave
the music its name and later helped make
it an international movement through such
classics as “Pressure Drop,” “Monkey
Man” and “Funky Kingston,” has died. He
was 77.
Hibbert, frontman of Toots & the May-
tals, had been in a medically-induced coma
at a hospital in Kingston since earlier this
month. He was admitted in intensive care
after complaints of having breathing dif-
ficulties, according to his publicist. It was
revealed in local media that the singer was
awaiting results from a COVID-19 test af-
ter showing symptoms.
News of the five-time Grammy nomi-
nee’s ill-health came just weeks after his
last known performance, on a national live-
stream during Jamaica’s Emancipation and
Independence celebrations in August.
A family statement said Hibbert died
Friday at University Hospital of the West
Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, surrounded
by family.
A muscular ex-boxer, Hibbert was
a bandleader, songwriter, multi-instru-
mentalist and showman whose concerts
sometimes ended with dozens of audience
members dancing with him on stage. He
was also, in the opinion of many, reggae’s
greatest singer, so deeply spiritual he
Toots Hibbert performs at the 2018 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. (AP file photo)
could transform “Do re mi fa so la ti do”
into a hymn.
His raspy tenor, uncommonly warm
and rough, was likened to the voice of
Otis Redding and his original songs such
as “Funky Kingston” and “54-46 That’s
My Number” appealed to soul and gospel
fans.