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.

PLAYLIST

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 - Struggle

The Maytals - Monkey Man

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