Toots Hibbert has died at the age of 77.
The Jamaican singer “passed away peacefully” on 11 September “surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica”, his family confirmed.
Toots – real name Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert – was the frontman of pioneering reggae group Toots and the Maytals.
In a statement, his family and management team said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.
“The family and his management team would like to thank the medical teams and professionals for their care and diligence, and ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief.”
Toots’ cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but he was hospitalised for suspected COVID-19 on September 2.
The results of his test for coronavirus were not announced at the time.
More to follow…