Marcia Griffiths Closes 60th Year in Reggae Celebrations with a Massive Showcase in Kingston!

The Queen & Friends, local and international… A Diamond Affair

Kingston— August 23, 2024— Marcia Griffiths culminates her 60^th year in Reggae celebrations with a massive showcase at the scenic Hope Gardens on November 3^rd, 2024. Dubbed “Marcia and Friends”, the event like the one held in Florida in May, will feature some of the fifty collaborations she has done over her iconic career. Major international acts will also take the stage on that evening when she performs for the first time in Jamaica for 2024.  This landmark occasion promises an exhilarating blend of melody and rhythm from your favourite artistes, curated by the Queen Of Reggae herself. Sponsors Tastee Patties, Wisynco Group limited, Appleton Estate, HIC, Ray Tours and Iprint are among those already onboard the project. 

We had a quick chat with Marcia about her journey – 

QUES. Why did you chose Reggae? 

ANS. “In Jamaica in my time in the decade of the sixties, we were influenced by American music in Jamaica and my inspiration was Pattie Label, Aretha Franklin and those women, so I started out doing ballads. But even though I was doing those on hotel circuits and all that, I see Reggae Music as my Culture, in my island of Jamaica. Reggae Music is what we put on the map to the four corners of the earth and I love it! It chose me, so I stuck with Reggae because that’s my identity.”

QUES.  You have worked with the two greatest Bobs in Reggae – ‘Andy’ and ‘Marley’. How was that? 

ANS. “So many adjectives including awesome and amazing.  I have no doubt its all God’s work and he chose me for this mission. Sometimes I find it unbelievable. These were two of the greatest men in music on earth. There is no way I would change anything in my journey, even if I could live my life over.”

QUES. What do you want people to take away from your 60^th celebration? 

ANS. “This is so important to me. I want them to see in just a small package, the journey I took and what it entails and I also want them to feel proud that they are the ones who made it possible. What would it be without the persons who supported me? The legacy that I want to leave with my fans who are now my family, is that I was not just here to entertain. It was much deeper for me. I recognized that this was a mission that I’m on, to teach and uplift souls through my music.”

ABOUT MARCIA GRIFFITHS

Born in West Kingston, Jamaica, Griffiths started her career in 1964, performing on stage with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires at the behest of Phillip James of The Blues Busters, who had heard her singing in her home neighbourhood. Her performance was sufficiently impressive that the following day Ronnie Nasralla and Clement Dodd both offered her recording contracts. She chose to record for Dodd’s Studio One label, where she recorded a series of duets with male singers such as Tony Gregory (“You’re Mine”), Bob Marley (“Oh My Darling”), Jeff Dixon (“Words”), and Bob Andy (“Always Together”), with whom she would have a relationship lasting several years. In 1968 she had her first success as a solo artist, with “Feel Like Jumping”, which like her other early Studio One solo hits (including “Truly” and “Melody Life”), were written by Andy. 

From 1970 to 1974, she worked together with Bob Andy as a duo (Bob and Marcia), on the Harry J label. She also recorded for Lloyd Charmers. 

Between 1974 and 1981, she was a member of the I Threes, a trio of backing singers, which supported Bob Marley & the Wailers. She continued to record as a solo artist throughout the 1970s, working with producers such as Sonia Pottinger, and Joseph Hoo Kim. 

In December 1982, Marcia Griffiths released the song ‘Electric Boogie,’ which was written exclusively for her by Bunny Wailer. This version became a minor hit for Griffiths, but the song was remixed in 1989, and it was this version that made the Electric Slide, a line dance, an international dance craze. It reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her most successful single.

In October 2014, Griffiths was conferred with the Jamaican Order of Distinction (Commander class)  and in October of 2023 she was conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) Jamaica’s fourth-highest national honour.