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Artist
Owen Gray
12+ albums
reggaeskarocksteadyAlltrojan
about
Owen Gray (aka Owen Grey) (born in Kingston, Jamaica, on 5 July 1939; died 20 July 2025) was one of Jamaica's 'Foundation' singers whose work spans the R&B, ska, rocksteady, and reggae eras of Jamaican music, and he has been credited as Jamaica's first home-grown singing star. In August 2023 he was awarded the Jamaican Order of Distinction. Gray won his first talent contest at the age of nine, and by the age of twelve he was already appearing in public, playing drums, guitar, and keyboards. He attended the Alpha Boys School and turned professional aged 19. Gray was a dynamic performer on stage, who could be gritty or suave as the song dictated. He was the first singer (of many) to praise a sound system on record, with his "On the Beach" celebrating Clement Dodd's Sir Coxsone Downbeat system in 1959, one of the first releases on Dodd's Studio One label. He was one of the first artists to be produced by Chris Blackwell, in 1960, and his "Patricia" single was the first record ever released by Island Records. His first single, "Please Let Me Go", reached the top of the charts in Jamaica, and featured a guitar solo from Ernest Ranglin (Ranglin's first recording session). The single also sold well in the United Kingdom, as did subsequent releases, prompting Gray to emigrate there in 1962. He toured Europe in 1964, and by 1966 he was well known as a soul singer as well as for his ska songs. In the rocksteady era, he recorded for producer Sir Clancy Collins. His popularity cont
top songs
albums
Cool, Cool Rocksteady
Shook, Shimmy & Shake: The Anthology
Trojan Jamaican R&B Box Set
Trojan Ska Box Set Volume 2 Cd3
Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set
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Jamaica's First Home Grown Star
Mash It! - Quality Music
Mumbo Jumbo
The Singles Collection... & More
Natty Bongo / Queen Majesty
Presenting Owen Gray
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Trojan Mod Reggae Collection