Jamaican singer Toots Hibbert has died aged 77.
The Toots and the Maytals frontman, who is known as being a reggae legend, died on Saturday.
The star’s family have released a statement confirming the news.
They said he’d been battling illness in hospital but did not give any more details about his health condition.
The statement read: “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.
Reggae legend Jamaican singer Toots Hibbert has died aged 77 (Image: WireImage)
“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.”
It was announced earlier this month that Toots had been rushed to intensive care.
The star’s family said he has had a coronavirus test at the time but was “showing signs of improvement”.
Their statement read: “While reports of Mr Hibbert being in an intensive care unit at a private facility in the Corporate Area are true, the family would like to assure those concerned that he is making positive progress and is receiving the best possible treatment, while he awaits the results on his Covid-19 test.
The singer was rushed to hospital earlier this month (Image: Redferns)
“He is resting and in good spirits, and is showing signs of improvement by the hour.”
The statement continued: “His family has asked everyone to hold him in their prayers, and would like to thank the Minister of Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and Minister of Health Christopher Tufton for their assistance in getting Mr. Hibbert tested, as well as the countless medical professionals who are taking care of Mr. Hibbert around the clock during this time.”
Toots and the Maytals only recently released their first album in a decade, Got to Be Tough.
The record features a cover of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds that features Marley’s son Ziggy.
Toots and the Maytals first formed in the early sixties and are widely credited with popularising reggae music.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
