Owen Gray

Owen Gray, also known as Owen Grey, is a Jamaican singer from Kingston, Jamaica. He works across R&B, ska, rocksteady and reggae, and is regarded as one of Jamaica’s foundation singers. He is also credited as Jamaica’s first home-grown singing star. He is born in 1939 and dies in 2025.

Early life and beginnings

Gray wins his first talent contest at the age of nine. By twelve, he is already performing in public and plays drums, guitar and keyboards. He attends the Alpha Boys School and turns professional at 19.

Recording career

Gray is an early and significant figure in Jamaican popular music. In 1959, he records “On the Beach”, a song celebrating Clement Dodd’s Sir Coxsone Downbeat sound system. It is one of the first releases on Dodd’s Studio One label. He is also one of the first artists produced by Chris Blackwell, in 1960, and his single “Patricia” is the first record released by Island Records.

His first single, “Please Let Me Go”, reaches the top of the Jamaican charts and features a guitar solo by Ernest Ranglin, from Ranglin’s first recording session. The record also sells well in the United Kingdom, as do later releases, which leads Gray to move there in 1962. He tours Europe in 1964, and by 1966 he is known both as a soul singer and for his ska recordings.

Producers, labels and key recordings

During the 1960s, Gray works with a number of important producers, including Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Arthur “Duke” Reid, Leslie Kong and Clancy Eccles. He records as a duo with Millie Small and releases songs that range from ska to ballads. In the rocksteady period, he records for Sir Clancy Collins. He continues to record regularly and has a major hit in 1968 with “Cupid”.

His 1970 track “Apollo 12” becomes popular with early skinheads. In 1972 he returns to Island Records and records reggae versions of The Rolling Stones’ “Tumblin’ Dice” and John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy”, though these achieve little success. Around this time he also has regular releases on Pama and its sister label Camel Records, as well as one single on Hot Lead Records.

Later work

Gray spends a short time in New Orleans before returning to Jamaica, where he turns to roots reggae and works with producer Bunny Lee. This period brings him considerable success. He later relocates to Miami in the 1980s. He continues to release new material regularly, often focusing on ballads and gospel music.

Memberships and collaborations

He is associated with The Duke Reid Group, Owen & Millie, and Owen Gray with the Jets.

Recognition

In August 2023, Gray receives the Jamaican Order of Distinction.