Frederick “Toots” Hibbert grew up singing gospel in rural Jamaica before moving to Kingston. Alongside Henry “Raleigh” Gordon and Nathaniel “Jerry” Matthias, he formed The Maytals in 1962. Their stacked harmonies and call-and-response vocals carried a gospel intensity that set them apart.
Church-honed harmonies: Toots grew up singing gospel; the trio formed in Kingston (1962). Their stacked, call-and-response vocals came straight from church to the dancehall.
Name & lineup: The “Maytals” began as a vocal trio; by the 1970s, the touring/recording band—Beverley’s All-Stars (Jackie Jackson, Paul Douglas, Hux Brown, Rad Bryan, Winston Wright, etc.)—became the powerhouse behind Toots & The Maytals.
Why it mattered: That gospel and soul energy over Jamaican rhythms made their sound instantly human and uplifting—like Otis Redding fronting a ska/rocksteady band. It helped reggae feel familiar to global ears.
Prince Buster; The Maytals - Dog War
The Maytals - Sun Moon and Star
The Maytals - Walk with Love
The Maytals - 54-46 That’s My Number
The Maytals - Six & Seven Books
The Maytals - One Eye Enos
The Maytals - Sweet and Dandy
The Maytals - It Must Be True Love
The Maytals - Peeping Tom
The Maytals - School Days
The Maytals - Pressure Drop
The Maytals - Pee Pee Cluck Cluck
The Maytals - Monkey Girl
The Maytals - Funky Kingston
The Maytals - Bla, Bla, Bla
The Maytals - We Shall Overcome
Toots & The Maytals - Night and Day
Toots & The Maytals - Just Tell Me
Toots & The Maytals - Everybody Needs Lovin
The Maytals - I’m A Big Man