Toots & The Maytals

Formed in Kingston, Jamaica, circa 1962, Toots & The Maytals began as the vocal trio of Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, Henry "Raleigh" Gordon, and Nathaniel "Jerry" Matthias. The group's sound, rooted in gospel-infused three-part harmonies and Hibbert's soulful, Otis Redding-compared lead vocals, was foundational in transitioning Jamaican music from ska and rocksteady to reggae. [7, 12] Their 1968 single "Do the Reggay" is widely credited with giving the genre its name. [4, 6] Through seminal tracks like "Pressure Drop" and "54-46 That's My Number," the band articulated a joyous, raw, and rhythmically potent sound that became a key export of Jamaican musical identity. [4, 6, 7]