Tributes are pouring in after the passing of Jamaican reggae legend Frederick “Toots” Hibbert.
Music stars like Ziggy Marley, Mick Jagger, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Massive Attack and many others took to social media to pay tribute to the Toots & the Maytals frontman, who died Friday (Sept. 11) at the age of 77.
“So sad to hear of Toots Hibbert’s passing. 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,” Jagger tweeted.
Hibbert’s death was announced on his eponymous band’s social media accounts, saying that the singer/songwriter “passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by by friends and family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.”
Marley referred to Hibbert as a “father figure” in an emotional tribute on Twitter.
“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,” Marley wrote. “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.”
Yusuf/Cat Stevens added, “Sad to hear of the passing of Toots Hibbert. He was an early originator of Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae. Prayers and thoughts with his family and loved ones. God bless his soul.”
The cause of Hibbert’s death had not been revealed at press time, but it was recently reported that he was in an intensive care unit as he awaited results of a test for COVID-19.
See more tributes below.
