Eddy Grant British musician, producer, performing reggae music Date of Birth: 05.03.1948 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Eddie Grant
2. The Formation of "EQUALS"
3. Collaborations and Rising Popularity
4. Solo Career and Success
5. Later Years and Activism

Biography of Eddie Grant

Eddie Grant, a British musician, producer, and reggae artist, was born on March 5, 1948, in Plaisance, British Guiana, a British colony. His full name is Edmund Montague Grant. When Eddie turned two years old, his parents moved to London. They lived in the working-class neighborhood of Kentish Town, where Eddie attended Eklan Bargley Secondary School.

The Formation of "EQUALS"

When Eddie Grant was seventeen years old, he formed his first band, which became known as "EQUALS." This group gained some recognition as the first in Britain to include members of different nationalities. Apart from Eddie, the band consisted of the Gordon brothers, Lincoln, and the twins Derv and Grant, who were Jamaican natives, as well as two British musicians, John Hall and Patrick Lloyd. "EQUALS" actively performed in clubs and pubs. In 1967, the record company "President Records" helped them record their first single, "I Won't Be There." Although the song did not reach great heights of success, it received airplay on the radio. The band recorded their first album, "Unequaled Equals," which entered the Top 10 of the British charts.

Collaborations and Rising Popularity

At the request of the record company, Eddie Grant also collaborated with the group "Pyramids," which accompanied Prince Buster during his performances. Eddie wrote songs for the group and became the producer of their debut album. The first hit for "EQUALS," which made it into the Top 50, was "I Get So Excited." After the release of their second album, "Equals Explosion," the group started gaining attention not only in England but also in Europe. Their single "Hold Me Closer" received tremendous support in Germany and reached the top of the charts. Although "EQUALS" songs were noticed in the United States, they only reached a position below forty. Unfortunately, the subsequent albums did not achieve the same level of success. Over the next two years, the group released four more albums, which went largely unnoticed by the public and critics. Eddie Grant started contemplating a solo career.

Solo Career and Success

In 1970, Eddie Grant founded the record company "Torpedo," where he helped young British reggae bands. On January 1, 1971, Eddie Grant suffered a heart attack. He left "EQUALS," which ceased to exist without him, and sold his record label. In 1972, Grant opened a new studio called "The Coach House," and later a new label called "Ice." Eddie continued to assist other musicians, focusing less on his solo career. In 1977, Eddie Grant released his first solo album, "Message Man." The album's dark and politically charged music did not prove commercially successful. However, this did not deter Grant. Two years later, he released his second album, "Walking on Sunshine," which became a landmark record of the decade. Among his subsequent works, his singles stood out more than his albums. In total, he released nine albums, reaching the top of the charts in both the US and the UK.

Later Years and Activism

In 1984, Eddie Grant moved to Barbados, where he opened a new studio to support local talent and continued his solo career. In 1988, he released the single "Gimme Hope Jo'anna," which was dedicated to the fight against apartheid. The song was banned from being played in South Africa but gained wide popularity among the black population. In 2008, Grant performed at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration, which led him to embark on his first world tour in 25 years. Eddie Grant has been featured on Guyanese stamps several times.