In February, I will start working to finish that project before my touring starts in March at the Moon Splash Festival in Anguilla,” he said. “Followed by a major festival in Virginia, then (a) festival in Baltimore. I was at the Royal Albert Hall in London with David Rodigan and his Outlook Orchestra, plus other shows in the US before returning to the UK for another festival with David’s Orchestra on June 19.” He pointed out that there was a coincidence which gave Big Ship added significance and push in England. That was the year of the Falklands War with Argentina, the British naval task force playing a huge role in the conflict far from the United Kingdom. Then, there were the people who used it for far more leisurely waterborne pursuits, such as cruises. Coxsone later paired McGregor with Ernest Wilson of The Clarendonians as ‘Fitzy and Freddy’ on the hit single Why Did You Do It I in 1966, which was Freddie’s first recording.

Big Ship Boss Freddie McGregor is on the brink of releasing a new album, after signing a publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music last month. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p.339. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. In 1981, McGregor scored a huge hit single with "Big Ship," which catapulted him to the front rank of reggae stars in the immediate post-Marley era, along with Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs.

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In 2013, he received a Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies. [6] We will) continue touring until October when we head out to Africa for my Africa, Here I Come tour starting in West Africa, (and) ending in Nairobi in December 2022.” In a 2011 interview, he expressed concern that many veteran artists, including himself, struggled for local radio play of their newer material, which he felt may be "lost" over time as a result. [5] Messages of goodwill have been flowing in, with Maxi Priest tweeting: “Calling on all my prayer warriors. Let’s come together and send up our prayers for strength and healing for my bonafide breden, singer, legend, Freddie Mcgregor.” Campbell, Howard (7 March 2011). "Freddie approaches 50 years in music biz". Jamaica Gleaner . Retrieved 8 March 2011.

As a child, McGregor was a part of The Clarendonians, one of Jamaica’s most successful Ska and early Reggae groups. He was co-opted to the group after the suggestion was made by legendary record producer Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd of Studio One. Freddie, it was said, was so tiny at the time, that he had to stand on a beer crate to reach the microphone. In 1975, McGregor converted to Rastafarianism. Still with Studio One and working with Earl "Chinna" Smith, he recorded several classic songs. McGregor hails from Hayes in Clarendon. He began his music career at seven years old at the legendary Studio One with Fitzroy “Ernest” Wilson and Peter Austin, founding members of The Clarendonians. Wilson took the youngster under his wing and recorded several songs under the name Fitzy and Freddie. He established the Big Ship label in 1983, and has produced many artists including Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchie, Tiger, Luciano and Mikey Spice. [4]a b c d Steve Huey (27 June 1956). "Freddie McGregor | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 25 April 2020. Once they were in place, it was magic. "Everybody a say 'Hit tune! Hit tune!'," McGregor recalled. At that moment, it was part of a hit tune, McGregor going on to develop the lyrics over the following days and return to the studio to complete the song, the first verse of which is: McGregor's albums in the 2000s were Signature and Anything for You, which received a Grammy nomination. [1] [4]

FREDDIE MCGREGOR - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 1 November 2022. McGregor however intends to return to the drawing board regarding that set, before a myriad of tours and appearances this year. Just last week, the singer joined the Mighty Crown sound system on their Far East Reggae Cruise. In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, McGregor had reported that the set lived up to his, and fan’s’ expectations. REGGAE LEGEND Freddie McGregor is said to be convalescing at a Florida medical facilitiy after suffering a stroke earlier this week.

McGregor stayed at Studio One for much of the '70s. He sang lead for groups like Generation Gap and Soul Syndicate, and also recorded off and on as a solo act during the '70s. McGregor had been due to tour the UK with UB40, starting yesterday in Nottingham, but pulled out after his stroke on Monday.

When me make the song and see how people react to it outside of what I mean, it is amazing," he said.The Big Ship singer, who had a busy schedule, is recuperating as well-wishers posted messages on social media for his recovery. McGregor has also toured extensively for many years. He secured a licensing agreement with RAS Records in US and released Come on Over in 1983. One of McGregor's three sons, Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor, is a dancehall record producer. More recently, he had signed a deal with Warner Chappell Music. [7] Discography [ edit ] Albums [ edit ] McGregor worked with producer Niney the Observer during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and in the same period was part of the resurgence of Studio One. [4] His popularity soared in the early 1980s with the release of "Bobby Babylon". Other popular hits of McGregor's include "Big Ship", "Push Comes to Shove", " Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" (a top ten hit in the UK), [3] [4] and "I Was Born a Winner"; as well as cover versions of many early reggae standards. He has also worked with producers Junjo Lawes, Linval Thompson, and Gussie Clarke. McGregor has also recorded as a drummer with artists such as Sugar Minott and Judy Mowatt. [4] a b Cooke, Mel (20 July 2014). "Half-Century of Freddie". Jamaica Gleaner . Retrieved 21 July 2014.