Advertisement

Owen Gray is a Jamaican musician. His 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 1964, he toured Europe and by 1966 he was well known as a soul singer as well as for his ska songs. During 1966, he worked in the UK and Europe with The Krew, then in 1967, with Tony Knights Chessmen. In the rocksteady era, he recorded for producer Sir Clancy Collins AKA sir collins. His popularity continued throughout the 1960s, working with producers such as Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Sydney Crooks, Arthur “Duke” Reid, Leslie Kong, and Clancy Eccles, including work as a duo with Millie Small, with songs ranging from ska to ballads. In 1978, “This is Reggae”, a song he co-wrote with Raymond Morrison and Tamara Edwards was released on Morrison’s Hawk label.

Birth Name

Owen Gray

Nickname

Owen

Profession

Musician

Genre

Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Gospel

Instruments

Vocals, Keyboards

Labels

Studio One, Trojan, Island, VP, Jet Star, Culture Press, Vista Sounds, Burning Sounds Records, Secret Records Limite

Nationality

Jamaican

Personal Life

Birthday / Date of Birth

Owen Gray was born on the 5th of July 1939, in Kingston, Jamaica.

Age

He’s currently 84 years old.

Sun Sign

Cancer

Ethnicity

Multiracial

He has Jamaican ancestry.

Advertisement

Religion

Christianity

Education

Owen attended the Alpha Boys School.

Family Details

  • Father – Unknown
  • Mother – Unknown
  • Siblings – Unknown

Marital Status

Married

Girlfriend / Spouse

Owen Gray has dated –

Owen has largely opted to keep his personal life away from the public spotlight, which makes it difficult for us to say anything about his love life and dating history.

Physical Statistics

Height

  • In feet – 6 feet 0 inches
  • In centimeters – 183 cm
  • In meters – 1.83 m

Weight

  • In Kilograms – 56 kg
  • In Pounds – 124 lbs

Body Build

Slim

Eye Color

Brown

Hair Color

Dark Brown

Shoe Size

He wears a size 11.5 (US) shoe.

Sexuality

Straight

Professional Statistics

Famous For

Gray became known as a Jamaican musician. He 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. His 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.

Singing Debut

In 1960, Owen was one of the first artists to be produced by Chris Blackwell, and his Patricia single was the first record ever released by Island Records. Gray’s first single, “Please Let Me Go”, reached the top of the charts in Jamaica, and featured a guitar solo from Australian musician Dennis Sindrey who was a member of The Caribs, a studio band that played on many early Owen Gray recordings. In 1960s, he was a well-known vocalist who worked with producers such as Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Sydney Crooks, Arthur “Duke” Reid, and Clancy Eccles.

Owen Gray Net worth

Owen Gray has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million dollars as of 2023.

Some Lesser Known Facts About Owen Gray

  • Gray was born in Jamaica. He prefers to keep his private life tucked away from public view and refrains from opening up on matters concerning her family lifestyle.
  • He 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.
  • Gray was a dynamic performer on stage, who could be gritty or suave as the song dictated.
  • In 1959, 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 one of the first releases on Dodd’s Studio One label.
  • In 1960, he was one of the first artists to be produced by Chris Blackwell, and his Patricia single was the first record ever released by Island Records.
  • Gray’s first single, Please Let Me Go, reached the top of the charts in Jamaica, and featured a guitar solo from Australian musician Dennis Sindrey who was a member of The Caribs, a studio band that played on many early Owen Gray recordings.
  • He regularly had releases on Pama and Pioneer Internacional label, Camel Records, and one single on Hot Lead Records.
  • He had greater success in Jamaica, however, with Hail the Man, a tribute to Emperor Haile Selassie, which was popular with the increasing Rastafari following.
  • Gray spent a short time living in New Orleans before returning to Jamaica where he turned his hand to roots reggae, working with producer Bunny Lee, and achieving considerable success.
  • In 1980s, relocated to Miami. He has continued to release new material regularly, often concentrating on ballads and Gospel music.
Loading...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

nine + ten =