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Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Reggae pioneers

Toots and Maytals perform on stage during the 33rd edition of "Le printemps de Bourges" rock pop festival on April 24, 2009 in Bourges, central France.
Toots and Maytals perform on stage during the 33rd edition of "Le printemps de Bourges" rock pop festival on April 24, 2009 in Bourges, central France.ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images

by Jill Riley and Anna Weggel

September 14, 2020

Reggae legend Toots Hibbert has died at age 77.

Toots and the Maytals said in a statement this past weekend "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".

The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music, and it's got us in the mood to take a spin down reggae lane this morning.

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear from reggae pioneers?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played

Toots and the Maytals - Funky Kingston
Jackie Mittoo - Get Up and Get It
Johnny Nash - Hold Me Tight
Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop
Toots and the Maytals - Pressure Drop
Bob Marley and The Wailers - Get Up Stand Up
Peter Tosh - Legalize It
Toots and the Maytals - Got To Be Tough