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Toots and the Maytals cancel tour due to Richmond bottle incident

Posted at 11:10 AM, May 26, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-26 18:52:27-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Legendary ska and reggae music band Toots and the Maytals will cancel the rest of their tour due to health issues stemming from an incident at the band's Richmond, Va. performance, a band member told CBS 6.

The band will head home Tuesday, said Hopeton Hibbert, Toots Hibbert's son and bass player in the band. There were six more shows scheduled on this tour.

The band said they are concerned for Toots' health, which was why they decided to cancel the rest of the tour. In fact, Hibbert's son said Toots has been getting dizzy spells and fainted twice.

"Even though he wants to please his fans and continue the tour, all of us in the band and his management has been insisting that he quits been before he starts to hemorrhage or dies," Hibbert said.

Hibbert also said they plan on using the additional time to prepare for their court date in June.

Toots Hibbert

Toots Hibbert

Police said a 19-year-old Henrico man lobbed an empty liquor bottle at the stage during a Toots and the Maytals concert in Richmond Saturday night, May 18.

Video shows the moment a vodka bottle, possibly stolen, was tossed from the crowd during the Dominion Riverrock festival and slammed into lead singer Toots Hibbert’s head. [VIDEO: Teen arrested, ‘Toots’ recovering after bottle throwing incident]

Hibbert, who was rushed to the hospital as the concert abruptly ended, required multiple stitches on his forehead.

William C. Lewis, of the 2300 block of Crickhollow Court in Henrico, was arrested shortly after the incident and faced a judge on Monday morning.

 William C. Lewis (Henrico police)

William C. Lewis (Henrico police)

Lewis was released from jail on a $3500 bond with the stipulation that he enroll in a drug and alcohol treatment program.

Lewis, who told a judge he is going hire his own attorney, faces malicious wounding and public intoxication charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 7.

Hundreds of people, including folks from Central Virginia, took to social media to distance themselves from the bottle-chucking incident, and post words of encouragement for the singer's recovery.

“On behalf of Richmond, you have my sincere apologies,” wrote Lee Huntington. “Callous, ignorant behavior of that kind is NOT a hallmark of our city.”

The band released a statement on its Facebook page Monday morning after the incident.

“Toots would like to thank all his friends, fans and family who have reached out to him since the bottle throwing incident in Richmond Saturday Night,” the band wrote on Facebook. “The youth who threw the bottle for no apparent reason is in custody and being charged.”

The band is asking fans who were impacted by the traumatic events to make their voice heard on social media and in court.

Police are still investigating the incident.

If you have information that could help investigators, call Detective Christopher Foultz at 804-646-6996. Anyone with information can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 804-780-1000.

***bottle is thrown around 4:25 mark***

Remaining shows in concert that have been cancelled:

05/26 Lebanon, NH

The Lebanon Opera House (Acoustic)

05/27 Brownfield, ME

Stone Mountain Arts Center (Acoustic)

05/29 Annapolis, MD

Rams Head On Stage (Acoustic)

05/30 Ithaca, NY

The State Theater (Acoustic)

05/31 South Orange, NJ

South Orange Performing Arts Center (Acoustic)

06/01 Norfolk, CT

Infinity Hall (Acoustic)