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.
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.
