Freddie, Marcia headline Valentines event in Atlanta
Atlanta: Two reggae stalwarts, Freddie McGregor and Marcia Griffiths will headline the Island Blend produced “Valentines Affair” on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at The Atrium in Atlanta. Cultural singer Everton Blender and balladeer Mikey Spice are also confirmed to perform. All acts will be backed by the Big Ship Band.
McGregor has had a successful career that spans ska, rocksteady, roots reggae to lovers rock, dancehall, ragga, and dub. Known worldwide for his riveting reggae ballads, the veteran crooner scored arguable his biggest hit single in the 80’s with “Big Ship,” which catapulted him to international stardom. Other popular hits from his catalogue include the pop crossover reggae hit “Guantanamera”, “Push Come to Shove”, “That Girl” and the cover “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely” which made the U.K. Top Ten in 1987. In his 50 years plus in the entertainment industry, McGregor has delivered many memorable performances including his sold out 2001 set at the London Hammersmith Apollo.
“My favourite performance was in London when I performed with the Philharmonic Orchestra and John Holt” he gushed. He has also received numerous accolades including an ‘International Award of Merit’ from the Canadian Reggae Music Award, a JAMI for the single ‘Push Come To Shove,’ an award for ‘Best International Artist’ from the BBC Radio London Reggae Awards and the prestigious Order of Distinction from the government of Jamaica in recognition of his contribution to Jamaica’s music and culture. In 2011 he was awarded “The Toronto International Jamaica Day Lifetime Achievement Award” for his outstanding achievement as an international hit maker, producer and captain of the Big Ship record label.
Reggae Queen Marcia Griffith closed out 2013, with a successful tour of Brazil where she did a number of concerts and filmed a documentary titled ‘Reggae Meets Salsa’ in Bahia that will be released later this year. Plans for 2014 includes a special performance at the Jazz & Blues Festival at the Multi Purpose Stadium in Trelawny on January 31 to celebrate 50 years in the entertainment industry. The performance to be titled “Marcia Griffiths and Friends” will feature some of her friends in the industry including a reunion with long time singing partner Bob Andy. In her decorated career, Griffiths gained international recognition touring the world as a member of the I-Threes with Bob Marley and the Wailers. Subsequently she hit the Billboard chart as a solo act with her monster hit ‘Electric Boogie’ which inspired the Electric Slide dance.
