Sunday, 14 January 2018

Toots.


I've just finished reading my good friend John Masouri's fabulous book 'Simmer Down' The Early Wailers' Story.


I lived in London between 64 and 69, just when Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, and Reggae music was first making its presence known in the UK. I was saying to John recently that the very first graffiti I remember seeing was in the underground, somewhere around West Ken or Barons Court, and it consisted of the single word TOOTS. After that first viewing, the word TOOTS started to appear everywhere; graffiti has 'advanced' a lot since then.

Anyway, this is what all that fuss was about (many years later).





20 comments:

Donna OShaughnessy said...

You really are such a cool dude!
I have always loved graffiti. Not the property destruction part of it but the art of it. I recently purchased a series of books about the graffiti done in Ireland (by both sides) during The Troubles. A country's history in painted walls.

Cro Magnon said...

Those huge Irish end-of-terrace paintings were probably the beginning of an era of graffiti; they were also a bit menacing.

Sencosue said...

Oh got goosebumps looking and listening to the video. I adore Ska, huge part of my teen years. Thank you for the memories. Regards Sue H

Cro Magnon said...

I am a big Ska fan, and am still 'moonstompin'.

Maria said...

I enjoyed this rythm, but I have never heard of them.
Our municipality hires graffiti artists to paint on walls and on a chosen theme, for example, a cycle-pedestrian track was dedicates to Gino Bartali a champion cyclist.
Greetings Maria x

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have taught countless Jamaicans during my teaching career and have never met one who didn't have a wonderful sense of rhythm.

chloe said...

You made my day. I saw Toots Hibbert and his Band last June here in my home town. An outstanding performer.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Jamaican music is always such fun. One can’t help moving to it.

Cro Magnon said...

Some municipal graffiti can be superb. My UK town of Brighton has some magnificent examples.

Cro Magnon said...

Something I've never been blessed with; two left feet.

Cro Magnon said...

He must be in his mid-60's by now, but still rocking.

Cro Magnon said...

It gets the blood flowing.

chloe said...

He is more than seventy. I think, my father's generation.

Cro Magnon said...

Yes, I meant mid-70's.

Jane Karwat said...

A friend of mine just posted Pressure Drop by them. Two hits of Toots this morning.

Cro Magnon said...

We're being pampered! You can't have too much Toots.

Anonymous said...

I loved listening to that music, thanks so much for posting it!

Cro Magnon said...

My pleasure!

James said...

75 in fact! For a different side of Toots, give "Love's Not Going To Let Me Down" a listen...

James said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOhwKsaSHyI

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