Toots and the Maytals
Jamaican vocal group that named the reggae genre.
User:Carstor · CC BY 4.0
Toots and the Maytals, originally known as The Maytals from the early 1960s until 1972, are a Jamaican musical group recognized as one of the best-known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. They were key figures in popularizing reggae music, and their 1968 single "Do the Reggay" was the first song to use the word "reggae," coining the name of the genre. Frontman Toots Hibbert (1942–2020) was considered a reggae pioneer on par with Bob Marley, and his soulful vocal style led to his inclusion in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers.
Quick Facts
- Background
- group_or_band
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- Jamaica
- Genre
- Ska, rocksteady, reggae
- Years Active
- 1962–1969 (vocal group) · 1969–1981 · 1990–2013 · 2016–present
- Label
- Beverley's · Trojan · V2 · Mango
- Current Members
- Paul Douglas / Jackie Jackson / Carl Harvey / Marie "Twiggi" Gitten / Stephen Stewart / Charles Farquarson
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Maytals were formed in Kingston in 1962 when Frederick "Toots" Hibbert met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" Mathias. Early recordings were incorrectly attributed to The Flames and The Vikings in the UK by Island Records. The group first achieved chart success with producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One, where their close-harmony gospel singing overshadowed Dodd's other vocal group, the Wailers. In 1966, they won the first Jamaican Independence Festival Popular Song Competition with "Bam Bam." Hibbert was jailed for 18 months in late 1966 for possession of marijuana, reportedly writing "54-46 That's My Number" about his time in jail.
After Hibbert's release in 1967, the group worked with producer Leslie Kong, releasing "Do the Reggay" in 1968, which gave the developing genre its name. In 1972, the group changed its name to Toots and the Maytals, with "Toots" referring to Hibbert and "the Maytals" referring to the instrumentalists and background vocalists. They signed with Chris Blackwell's Island Records, who reformed the band with Hibbert as frontman backed by a hand-selected group of instrumentalists. The band toured with the Who, Jackson Browne, the Eagles, and Linda Ronstadt, and headlined alongside Santana at the Winterland Ballroom in 1975.
Reader's Guide
Toots and the Maytals are significant for their foundational role in reggae music. Their 1968 single "Do the Reggay" is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary for the etymology of the word "reggae," making them the authors of the genre's name. The group won the Jamaican Independence Festival Popular Song Competition three times, including the first-ever contest in 1966. Their hit "54-46 That's My Number" became the first international reggae hit, establishing their presence outside Jamaica. The group contributed two songs to the soundtrack of the 1972 film The Harder They Come, which introduced Jamaican music to American audiences. Their compositions experienced a resurgence during the reggae punk and ska revival in the UK in the late 1970s, with covers by the Specials and the Clash. In 1980, the band attempted to set a Guinness World Record by recording, pressing, and distributing the album Toots Live within 24 hours, though the achievement was not officially registered. After Hibbert's death in 2020, the Maytals indicated they would continue as a working group.
Did You Know?
- The Oxford English Dictionary credits Toots and the Maytals in the etymology of the word "reggae."
- Frontman Toots Hibbert was named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Singers.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Toots and the Maytals?
Toots and the Maytals is a Jamaican vocal group that formed in the early 1960s and became one of the most recognized ska and rocksteady acts. Led by frontman Toots Hibbert, the band rebranded to include his name in 1972.
What role did Toots and the Maytals play in music history?
The group is widely credited with helping spread reggae music to a global audience. Their 1968 single "Do the Reggay" was the first recorded track to use the word "reggae," effectively naming the genre itself.
Why is Toots and the Maytals important to world music?
They are regarded as a reggae pioneer on par with Bob Marley and helped define the sound of Jamaican popular music. Hibbert's soulful vocal delivery earned him a spot on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Singers.
What label did Toots and the Maytals record for?
The group recorded for Island Records, which helped bring their music to international audiences. Their work on that label solidified their place in the ska, rocksteady, and reggae canon.
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