Marcia Griffiths celebrates 60 years in music with grand Kingston concert

Veteran singer Marcia Griffiths culminates her celebration of 60 years in music with a massive showcase at the scenic Hope Gardens in St Andrew on Sunday, November 3. Dubbed Marcia and Friends, the event, similar to the one held in Florida in May, will feature some of the 50 collaborations she has done throughout 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, curated by the Queen of Reggae herself,” a press release stated.

Born in west Kingston, 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 neighbourhood. Her performance was sufficiently impressive that the following day, Ronnie Nasralla and Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ 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 artiste 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 the 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 Three, a trio of backing singers who supported Bob Marley & The Wailers. She continued to record as a solo artiste 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 2023 she was conferred with the Order of Jamaica, the fourth-highest national honour.