Celebrating Marcia at 60
Veteran hitmaker Tony Gregory thrilled to join line-up for Sunday’s show
Singer, songwriter, and composer Tony Gregory is slated to perform at the highly anticipated Marcia Griffiths & Friends show this Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Hope Gardens.
Gregory entered the music industry at the age of 10 and, with nearly 70 years in the business, he speaks from a place of meaningful insight and wisdom about his journey.
The significance and magnitude of the Marcia Griffiths & Friends show can be found in the integrity and preservation of Griffiths’ professional relationships over the years.
He shared that one of Griffiths first singles was a collaboration done with him in 1964
You’re Mine/Oh Baby, which they will perform at the upcoming show.
“The new generation listens to the music completely differently, and that is why I take my hat off to Marcia. Her music has expanded all over these years and it’s melodic and it’s interesting to find that the new generation is also getting into her music,” said Gregory.
The artiste said he is thrilled to be on the Marcia Griffiths 60th anniversary show, adding that she is from the school of artistes not focussed on rewards.
“In our time, money wasn’t the front thing, where I’ve found that to be the case now. We performed because we loved what we were doing. Sometimes we didn’t even get paid but we loved what we were doing,” he shared.
Gregory commends Griffiths for her extraordinary career.
Said he: “She has actually done it all. It’s very difficult for females in this business; it was a man-oriented business. There aren’t too many females that came through this. She is looked upon and respected all around the world for what she believes in and what she portrays, that’s so important.”
The multifaceted musician has spent much time in Europe said the first hits he had in Jamaica were Baby Come On, You’re Mine with Marcia, and Only a Fool Breaks His Own Heart. Since then he has experienced success in Europe.
The 78-year-old said he is big on enjoying life these days in the parish of his birth.
“I’m trying to enjoy life a little bit. I live on the north coast in St Ann. I come out when I need it. I get offers but I’m not really taking them. I’ve been through a lot and I know it’s good for some people but I just want to enjoy. I’ve seen so many people in the business who are gone and they didn’t enjoy their life. They enjoyed being onstage but that’s it. They’re not around any more. They’ve left a mark on the business, but they didn’t really get a chance to enjoy their life. I intend not to do that; I intend to enjoy life a little bit.”