Toots Hibbert biography
Date of birth : 1945-12-08
Date of death : -
Birthplace : May Pen, Jamaica
Nationality : Jamaican
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2012-01-13
Credited as : Singer, reggae music, Toots & the Maytals member
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Bonnie Raitt calls reggae pioneer Toots Hibbert "one of the most powerful and original soul singers ever," singling out his "gruff, classic style." In the late Sixties, Hibbert and his band, the Maytals, cut classic singles such as "Sweet and Dandy" and "Monkey Man," which set a template for a couple of generations of ska revivals and garnered the Jamaican singer well-earned comparisons to Otis Redding. "A hundred years from now," Hibbert says, "my songs will be played, because it is logical words that people can relate to."
He didn't need fancy songs to come across: His most famous tune is "Pressure Drop," which is just five lines repeated over and over. But his greatest performance could be "54-46 Was My Number," his defiant, deeply funky memory of a short stint in prison. It was definitive proof that A-level soul wasn't limited to the North American mainland.
Toots recently collaborated with executive producer Malik Al Nasir of MediaCPR and Steel Pulse's Sidney Mills, who produced Jamaican percussionist Larry McDonald's album "Drumquestra" released in 2009. Toots' track is called "What about the Children?", a house track with accompanying video shot on location in New York. Toots performed vocals with Iowa reggae band Public Property on their album "Work to Do" in 2009.
Hibbert was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Hibbert recently collaborated with the Jacksonville, Florida southern rock/blues group, JJ Grey & MOFRO. He is featured in their song, The Sweetest Thing, on their new album, Georgia Warhorse.
Hibbert joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a performance of Louie Louie during their New Year's eve performance on December 31, 2011 held in St. Barts by Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich. The private bash was invitation only and around 300 guests including George Lucas, Martha Stewart, Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Buffett attended the party at Abramovich's $90 million estate.
