The Maytals Band UK Tour, Including Special Toots Hibbert Tribute Concert, Cancelled By Organisers
Al Hardwicke Kassi, head of the booking agency Midnight Mango, is expressing regret that a special tribute concert set for September in the UK to honour the late Toots Hibbert will have to be cancelled after the Europe-based booking agency Midnight Mango Ltd received a cease and desist letter from the lawyers for the executors of the Frederick (Toots) Hibbert estate.
“The UK was Toots’ best market in the world and he was very and loved here, drawing crowds of up to 10,000 people, all devoted fans. Toots was instrumental in popularising reggae and ska in the UK, with this tour we wanted The Maytals Band to help us in the UK to celebrate the life of Toots Hibbert,” Al Hardwicke Kassi of Midnight Mango booking agency, told DancehallMag.
The anchor show – part of a 10 show tour – was planned for the Roundhouse in London on September 4th. The iconic circular venue, constructed in 1847, has a capacity of 3,300 standing and 1,700 seated.
“Profits from the show were destined to be given to the Toots Hibbert Foundation, such was the love for Toots and the Maytals. Important music figures like UB40 wanted to be a part of the show because we have not had the chance to celebrate Toots since his death. There were other shows and festivals who had booked the show in the same spirit of love for Toots and the Maytals, unfortunately they have now been seriously financially compromised, my having received this notice so close to the tour starting,” he said.
Two weeks ago, DancehallMag reported that the principals of the Maytals band had been served a cease and desist letter by the law firm, Isaacman, Kaufman, Painter, Lowy and Zucker who are representing “the heirs of Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, a.k.a. ‘Toots and the Maytals’” who are alleging that the band members cannot perform under the Maytals band name for any upcoming gigs or tours.
The Maytals band, which has been touring for over 52 years, comprises Clifton ‘Jackie’ Jackson, Charles Faquharson, Carl Harvey, Earl Paul Douglas, and Radcliffe Bryan.
The band’s frontman, Toots Hibbert died at the University Hospital of the West Indies on September 11 at the age of 77.
The group won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album last year, and are known for hit songs such as Bam Bam, Sweet and Dandy, and Pressure Drop.
The cease-and-desist letter stated: “It has come to our attention that you, or persons purporting to be authorized by you, are infringing and/or contemplating the infringement of our clients’ service mark, “Toots and the Maytals” by, inter alia, advertising and offering to provide entertainment services using the mark “The Maytals Band.”
In their response, the Maytals band has retained Florida-based attorney at law David Rodrigo. The band members have vowed to make a “vigorous defence” and have refuted the assertions made, contending that the long-existing group known as the Toots and the Maytals was a partnership between the late singer and members of the band.
Kassi expressed hope that some agreement may be ironed out in the future and that all parties involved can hammer out an amicable understanding that will allow the band to tour.
“I have personally been Toots and the Maytals UK agent for the past 20 years, and deeply regret what is happening. The Maytals Band have been a unit for 40 years, I hope this is all a misunderstanding, I can only pray that sense will prevail and that the executors will reconsider their attitude and move together with The Maytals Band for the benefit of all to perpetuate the great man that was Frederic Toots Hibbert,” Kassi said.