Owen Grey, also known as Owen Grey, is a Jamaican musician singer, and songwriter. He has made significant contributions to the R&B, ska, rocksteady, and reggae eras of Jamaican music. She is credited as the first homegrown singing star in Jamaica.
Throughout his career, Owen Gray has demonstrated his many talents by embracing different musical styles and trends. His discography spans many decades. and includes notable songs from the R&B era of the 1950s and the ska and rocksteady eras of the 1960s and the emergence of reggae in the 1970s.
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Short Profile Owen Gray
| Name | Owen Gray |
| Also known as | Owen Grey |
| Birth Date | 5 July 1939 |
| Birth Place | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Age | 83 years old |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals, keyboards |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Labels | Studio One, Trojan, Island, VP, Jet Star, Culture Press, Vista Sounds, Burning Sounds Records, Secret Records Limited |
| Genres | Ska, rocksteady, reggae, gospel |
Owen Gray’s talents and contributions have earned him a central place in Jamaican music history. He has left a huge legacy as a best artist. and has been recognized as an important figure in the development of Jamaican music.
From childhood artists till now
Born in Jamaica, Owen Gray showed musical talent from a young age. He won his first talent contest at the age of nine and performed publicly at the age of twelve. He started his professional music career at the age of only nineteen by enrolling in the Alpha Boys School. Known for his dynamic stage presence, Gray brought a different take on the music that caught on.
Gray made a remarkable contribution to Jamaican music history that cannot be forgotten. In 1959, their song “On the Beach” became one of the first releases on Clement Dodd’s Studio One label, a huge achievement, praising the Sir Coxsone downbeat sound system. He was one of the first artists produced by Chris Blackwell in 1960, with his single “Patricia” marking the first release on Island Records.
Owen Gray’s pioneering spirit and musical talent earned him a place as a respected figure in Jamaican music, a herculean task.
Got success in more country
Gray’s first single, “Please Let Me Go”, reached number one in Jamaica, a huge achievement, and included a notable guitar solo by Australian musician Dennis Syndre of The Caribs.
The success of the single spread to the United Kingdom, prompting Gray to relocate there in 1962. All of his releases gained immense popularity in the UK as well. In 1964, he did a European tour and established himself not only as a well-known ska artist but also as a soul singer.
Gray collaborated with The Crew in 1966 and later joined Tony Knight’s Chessmen in 1967, further cementing his international recognition.
Owen Gray – “Hail the Man”
During the rocksteady era, Owen Gray and Owen Gray collaborated with producer Sir Clancy Collins, also known as Sir Collins, and found great success.
Working with renowned producers such as Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Sidney Crooks, Arthur “Duke” Reed, Leslie Kong, and Clancy Eccles in the 1960s, he had many
Got to learn, and together his popularity grew stronger.
Gray’s repertoire ranged from ska to ballads, including successful duets with Millie Smalls. In 1968, his hit “Cupid” received critical recognition.
Although his reggae versions of The Rolling Stones’ “Tumblin’ Dice” and John Lennon’s “Else Guy” had limited success, Gray found greater acclaim in Jamaica with “Hail the Man”, a tribute to Emperor Haile Selassie. which resonated with the growing Rastafari.
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Owen Grey’s Famous Albums
- Owen Gray Hit After Hit After Hit- Sydney Crooks
- Owen Gray Sings (1961) Starlite
- Forward on the Scene (1975) Third World
- Fire and Bullets (1977)
- Turning Point (1977) Venture
- Dreams of Owen Gray (1978) Trojan
- Battle of the Giants Round 1 (1983) Vista Sounds
- Oldies But Goodies (1983) Vista Sounds
- Max Romeo Meets Owen Gray at King Tubby’s Studio
- Little Girl (1984) Vista Sounds
- Room at the Top (1986) World Enterprise
- Let’s Make a Deal World Enterprise
- Watch This Sound (1986) Sky Note
- Stand By Me (1986) Hitbound
- Prince Buster Memory Lane (1986) Phill Pratt
- Instant Rapport (1989) Bushranger
- Ready Willing and Able (1989) Park Heights
- None of Jah-Jah’s Children Shall Ever Suffer (198?)
- Out in the Open (1997) VP
- The Gospel Truth vol 1 Bushranger
- Something Good Going On Bushranger
- Gospel Truth, vol. 2 (1997) Jet Star
- Derrick Morgan and Owen Gray (1998) Rhino (with Derrick Morgan)
- True Vibration (1998) Jet Star
- Do You Still Love Me (1998) First Edition
- The Gospel Truth vol. 3 (1999) Bushranger
- On Drive (2000) Jet Star
- Better Days (2002) Worldsound
- Let’s Start All Over (2003) Jet Star
- Jesus Loves Me (2004) True Gospel
- Baby, It’s You (2005) World sound
- Mumbo Jumbo (2005) Revenge
- Miss Wire Waist -Pioneer Internacional (Sydney Crooks)
- Excellence (????), Bushranger
- Jamaica’s First Homegrown Star (2020)
- Owen Gray-Little Girl + Hit After Hit After Hit (2020)
- Owen Gray – Singles 1969 – 1972 (2020)