'God is great' - Grateful Freddie McGregor moves Sumfest audience
Published:Sunday | July 23, 2023 | 4:30 AM
An emotional Freddie McGregor thanked God as he performed on Reggae Sumfest Festival Night Two.
Sitting centre stage, flanked by sons Daniel 'Chino' McGregor and Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor, the captain of the Big Ship performed for the first time on local soil following a scary stroke in November last year while in Florida.
Moved to tears as he addressed the audience, he shared that there was initially some uncertainty around his performance.
"When I got sick last year and Mr Bogdanovich asked me if I could do Sumfest, I said I would try but through the spirit of Christ, I'm here tonight, so God is great and I thank you all for your prayers, your well wishes," said Freddie McGregor. "I love you."
Supported by his children Daniel, Stephen and Yashemabeth and the Code Red band, Freddie McGregor performed hits such as Every Little Thing, If You Wanna Go, Africa Here I Come, To be Poor is a Crime, Prophecy and Push Comes to Shove.
At the end of his performance, he was presented with the Red Stripe Living Legend Award by Red Stripe Brand Manager Nathan Nelms and met with rousing applause from the audience.
"I think Red Stripe should come with a next beer and call this one Fred Stripe," joked Freddie McGregor as he accepted the award.
Nelms said Freddie McGregor has set a high musical standard. "The Living Legend Award was actually an award that Red Stripe conceptualised to honour those in the now who are making an exemplary contribution to music. Freddie, for decades you have been setting that Big Ship on the ocean, straight across the world to take Jamaican music to a global stage with artistry, performances and hits, after hits, after hits, after hits and for that Red Stripe and everyone here declare you a living legend," said Nelms.
The Red Stripe Living Legend Award was first presented in January 2023. Buju Banton, Marcia Griffiths and Beres Hammond received the award at the Intimate Jamaica concert.