Marcia Griffiths was born in Kingston in 1949. She started singing professionally in 1964 but became an international sensation in 1989 when a deejay in Washington, DC began playing a little song she recorded seven years earlier. The Electric Boogie, with its infectious, feel-good rhythms, spawned a new line dance, the Electric Slide, which still draws young and old to dance floors at weddings, family reunions and parties. It was featured in movies, The Best Man (1999), and on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Griffiths was also part of the I-Threes, the trio of accomplished women, Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley, who provided back-up vocals for Bob Marley from 1974 until the singer’s death in 1981.
Griffiths has sang with the legendary band, Byron Lee & the Dragonaires and had a long collaboration with another gifted Jamaican artist, Bob Andy, with whom she recorded, Young, Gifted and Black.
In recognition of her contribution to reggae music, the Jamaican Government awarded Griffiths an Order of Distinction in 2002.
Griffiths, who has 14 albums to her credit, continues to perform. She recently performed on opening night at this year’s Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival.
Aww man, that was the stateside jam! Although I was doing everything except the electric side, I loved the song and watching folk get down with it (I can’t remember dance steps or jokes).
Oh, you’ve gotta feature Patrice Rushen’s jazz. I bought a CD about 3 years ago. Really nice.
But back to the raggae flavor…Patra had some nice beats too. I know you know Patra. LoL!!
It sure was! I love watching the Electric Slide and sometimes, I like doing it. Oh, I’d forgotten about Patra. Thanks for the reminder, Totsy, and for the heads up on Patrice Rushen. Love Patrice.
She looks great… Glad to read she still has her singing pipes. Were you named after her? 🙂
She really does — look great and still has her pipes.
You know, I doubt it. My name was pretty popular back then but I’m not sure when it lost its popularity. Except for a young Asian woman, who selected it for her Anglicized name, everyone I’ve met with the name is about my age or older.