Legendary reggae artist Marcia Griffiths is set to headline a spectacular showcase on November 3, celebrating her 60th year in the music industry. The highly anticipated event, titled Marcia Griffiths & Friends, will be held at Palm Drive, Hope Gardens in St. Andrew. While Griffiths has kept her lineup of guest performers under wraps, she hinted that fans can expect appearances from surprise international stars—without needing visas to enter Jamaica.
At the official launch of the event, which took place on September 25 at J Wray & Nephew’s offices in New Kingston, Griffiths teased that fans should prepare for an unforgettable experience. “You just never know who you’ll see,” she shared. “Outside of the advertised acts, the climax and surprises will feature artists that no one would ever imagine.”
Among the friends joining Griffiths in celebrating her milestone anniversary will be several notable figures in reggae, as well as rising stars. “It wouldn’t be complete if I’m not reaching out to this generation,” Griffiths said. “Music lives on forever, and it wouldn’t be real if I’m just reaching out to my generation. The young people are who I want to attract.”
The Hope Gardens concert is expected to follow a similar format to her previous showcase in Miramar, South Florida, which took place in May. That event featured a variety of special guests and highlighted her impressive career, which began in 1964 when she performed with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and recorded for producer Clement Dodd.
Earlier this year, Griffiths revealed that R&B legend Patti LaBelle would be among the guest performers for her Jamaica concert. She also promised that other major international acts will be in attendance.
Tony Gregory, who collaborated with Griffiths on several duets in the 1960s, will also be part of the lineup. Griffiths fondly recalled how her 1980s hit Electric Boogie helped her connect with a wide audience. Written and produced by Bunny Wailer, the track became Griffiths’ biggest commercial hit, with a remixed version peaking at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1990.
The November 3 concert will also serve as an early birthday celebration for Griffiths, who turns 75 on November 23. Her illustrious career, which began in the rocksteady era, includes timeless hits like Feel Like Jumping, Mark My Words, and Young, Gifted and Black, a duet with Bob Andy. She also gained worldwide fame as part of Bob Marley’s harmony group, the I-Three,
