KINGSTON, Jamaica (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Reggae singer Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, frontman for Toots & The Maytals has cancelled yet more dates after getting hit in the head with a glass bottle during a show on May 19, 2013 at the Riverwalk Festival in Richmond Virginia.
The Maytals had previously cancelled their upcoming North American dates, but now, on doctors orders, have pulled the plug on a 6 week European summer tour that was set to run from July 3rd to August 14th. Also included in the latest round of cancellations was a show at ‘Groovin in the Park’ in New York on June 30.
According to a post on the group's website, the decision to pull out of the tour was made by Toots’ medical team as it has been determined that any performances at this time could seriously compromise the performer's health and well being.
One date that Hibbert did make was the arraignment of his alleged assailant, William Lewis. Lewis appears to have been caught on tape during the bottle-throwing incident and has since been charged with felony assault and public drunkenness, which has since been dismissed while a Grand Jury deliberates on the assault charge. Hibbert has also brought civil action against Lewis.
“This tragic incident that caused serious injury to Toots is the subject of an ongoing investigation in terms of responsibility. Toots and his management team share with me the view that we should only sue those who we know to have responsibility for this vicious attack. At this moment in time, the bottle thrower, Mr. Lewis unquestionably falls in that category and thus the $21M civil action against him. As we investigate the matter fuller and that investigation indicates other responsible parties, I can assure you that we will respond in an appropriate manner to impose legal responsibility for any such actions or omissions upon any such individuals, companies or entities,” said Michael R. Shapiro, Hibbert's attorney. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers