Eddy Grant bookings
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Who is Eddy Grant
Eddy Grant has released several albums since the 70’s, on which he wrote and performed every note of the music, in addition to recording it in his own studio and issuing it on his own record label. In fact, Grant is said to be the only major artist who over a decades long career owns every recording and song he ever created. His music is a blend of pop songwriting, dance rhythms, reggae and colorful international elements.
Born in Guyana, Eddy was exposed during his childhood to the distinctive local fusion of African and Indian music indigenous to Guyana, along with the music of the surrounding countries such as Suriname and in particular Trinidad and Tobago. As a pre-teen, his musician father moved the family to Kentish Town, North London. In the stark, post-war late 50’s and early 60’s suburban environment, Eddy was exposed to the rock and roll of Chuck Berry and the nascent pop music scene.
Cross-cultural music experiments
This early combination of ethnic and commercial pop influences culminated in Eddy founding The Equals, the first multi-cultural pop/rock outfit to achieve international acclaim. With Eddy as songwriter, lead guitarist, arranger and producer, The Equals topped the chart with their classic ‘Baby Come Back’ and went on to achieve three more major top-10 hits with their Caribbean-styled pop.
Eddy Grant continued the process of experimentation he’d started in the late 60’s. He merged the influences of early pop, rock and soul with the calypso music of the Caribbean and the African and Indian rhythms of his childhood. He recorded what is generally recognised as the very first soca record, the anthemic ‘Hello Africa’ in 1972. It remains a classic in many parts of the world inhabited by calypso and soca aficionados.
Worldwide hits in the 80’s
Eddy enjoyed immense commercial success in the first half of the 80’s. When the pressures of his solo career again threatened to compromise his newly defined game plan, Eddy moved back to the Caribbean. It was from his base in the Caribbean that he recorded his breakthrough album, ‘Killer on The Rampage’. This record blended social commentary themed lyrics with a complex but pop-friendly sound that mixed international influences and pop hooks. It became a hit when the songs ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’ and ‘Electric Avenue’ were released as singles. The extraordinary success of both singles helped to make the parent album a worldwide success.
In 1984, Eddy Grant entered the world of film soundtracks when he wrote the theme song for the hit adventure film, ‘Romancing the Stone’, starring Michael Douglas. This top-30 hit was a typically eclectic blend of pop and reggae elements that also included a wailing, rock-style guitar solo played by Grant.
After an absence of four years, Eddy Grant returned to the international pop scene in 1988 with ‘Gimme Hope, Jo’Anna’. In this song he cleverly puts across an anti-apartheid message by wrapping it in a funky, catchy Caribbean-pop melody. It became a massive international success in almost every country in the world except the USA, where it was effectively banned from mainstream radio and TV.
Creator of the ringbang genre
Decades later, Eddy Grant’s experimentation with music continues. He created a new genre called ringbang, that he loosely defines as a “bridge between all the rhythms that have originated from Africa so that they become one, defying all geographical boundaries.” Ringbang also carries with it a philosophy which recognises and affirms value in Caribbean people and culture. Eddy’s passionate interest in African rhythms, reggae and soca, and his individualistic style has had a lasting influence on a range of other artists. His classic works remain as popular as ever today and have been covered by artists as diverse as Prince Buster, Jaheim, UB40, Pato Banton and even The Clash who covered his song ‘Police on my Back’ for their celebrated ‘Sandinista’ album.
Eddy Grant’s individual discography is extensive and time-honoured. His album ‘Reparation’ contains 13 brilliant tunes ranging in musical styles from Ringbang, Reggae, Pop, Rock to Gospel. He has also received numerous awards in the UK and elsewhere for his contribution to music. Without a doubt Eddy Grant is an original, a true Caribbean icon and he will continue to be an important and integral part of the Caribbean and international music scene.
