Marcia Griffiths, Jamaica’s most famous songbird

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths is one of Jamaica’s famous female songbirds, immediately recognisable as one of Bob Marley’s trusted backup singers from the group, the ‘I Three’s’.

Growing up in the tough neighbourhood of West Kingston, Griffiths showcased her early singing talents like most, in the church, school and at community talent events.

Her smooth, melodic voice began to gain notoriety from some of Jamaica's most renowned producers back in the 1960s, and it was from there that a teenage Griffiths was introduced to bandleader, Byron Lee.

She became an overnight sensation and was highly sought after by managers such as Ronnie Nasrall,a who managed Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and Clement Dodd who ran the world renowned, Studio One recording studio.

Marcia eventually signed with Dodd and began to record at Studio One, where she also recorded songs with Tony Gregory, Jeff Dixon, Bob Andy, and Bob Marley. Her first hit came in 1968 with the song, ‘Feel Like Jumping.’

Riding the momentum from her early recordings, Griffiths would go on to garner even more notoriety after she re-recorded the song ‘Electric Boogie’ which was originally done by Bunny Wailer. The song would reach number one in Jamaica; however, it was the remix in 1989 which was accompanied by the dance ‘Electric Slide’ that gained worldwide fame. It reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her most successful single. It is currently the highest-selling single by a female reggae singer of all time.

Griffiths, who has two children with deceased radio disc Jock Errol Thompson, received the Jamaican Order of Distinction (Commander class) in October of 2014.