Toots under pressure
TOOTS Hibbert has earned the title ‘reggae great’ due to an enduring career that has produced classic songs like 54-46 and Pressure Drop, but that meant nothing to an intoxicated fan who struck him with a bottle during a concert in May.
The incident took place in Richmond, Virginia. The 71-year-old Toots suffered a concussion and a wound that required six In June, he filed a $21-million civil lawsuit against the ‘thrower’ William Connor Lewis.
In a letter read at Lewis’ hearing in December, Toots stated that he has not performed in more than seven months and cancelled all shows due to his injury.
“I continue to suffer from extreme anxiety, memory loss, headaches, dizziness and, most sadly of all, a fear of crowds and performing,” he wrote. “I am not able to write songs as I did before or remember the lyrics of songs that I wrote and have performed for decades.”
Despite his impediment, Toots pleaded for lenience for Lewis, but that could not stop judge Margaret P Spencer from sentencing him to serve six months in jail.
Lewis had pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault and battery.
staples.
