Toots & the Maytals

Toots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are considered legends of reggae and ska music. Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, the leader of the group, was born in Maypen in the Parish of Clarendon, Jamaica. He was the youngest of seven children. He grew up singing gospel music in a church choir, but went to Kingston when he was a teenager in the early 60s.

Related Topics:
Reggae - Ska - Frederick "Toots" Hibbert - Maypen - Parish of Clarendon - Jamaica - Gospel music - Kingston - 60s

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In Kingston, he met and recorded with Raleigh Gordon and Jerry Matthias, thus forming the original Maytals. Early recordings may have been attributed to "The Vikings". The Maytals, as the band were initially known, recorded at Studio One early in their career. The band officially changed their name to Toots and the Maytals in around 1970. Their sound is a unique, originating combination of reggae, ska, soul, gospel and rock.

Related Topics:
Raleigh Gordon - Jerry Matthias - Studio One - Soul - Rock

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The Maytals' song "Do the Reggay", a 1968 single, is often credited with coining the phrase reggae. Classic songs written and recorded by the group have been covered by the likes of The Clash, The Specials, and Sublime, and the group was featured in reggae's greatest breakthrough event - The Harder They Come, the 1972 film and soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff.

Related Topics:
Do the Reggay - 1968 - The Clash - The Specials - Sublime - The Harder They Come - 1972 - Jimmy Cliff

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Toots and the Maytals dissolved in the early 1980s after having toured throughout the world for many years, but was revived in the early 90s to continue touring and recording successfully.

Related Topics:
1980s - 90s

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The band recently won the 2005 grammy award for reggae for the album True Love, an album consisting of re-recorded versions of their classics alongside popular and legendary musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards.

Related Topics:
2005 - Grammy award - Bonnie Raitt - Willie Nelson - Eric Clapton - Keith Richards

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