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

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.

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.