in Pencil Music

Unfortunately, I can’t make it to Toots & the Maytals tonight at Brooklyn Bowl, so I’ll just write about how much I love this legendary reggae act.

When I was growing up as a kid I used to go to ska shows all the time with my friends, and had a hell of a time skankin’ and basically looking silly while I danced crazy. I have Toots (and others), to thank for that, albeit years after ska was a huge hit in Jamaica.

I sometimes feel the Maytals are overlooked, and were overlooked – understandably considering that Bob Marley cleaned up on that one. It was really Peter Tosh and Marley that went on to be huge successes in the world of Reggae, but unfortunately neither lived to tell the story. Toots is still goin strong. Hell, Toots even went on tour with The Who in the 70′s – strange combo – so no wonder the tour wasn’t successful.

No matter, his music was still heard and continues to have exposure. I find it exciting to know that the original reggae/ska founders – such as Jimmy Cliff – are still goin strong.

I can’t make it tonight to Toots, but my guess is it will be an experience unlike any other, so if anyone can get there, have a beer for me please.

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