Eddy Grant @ Grand West 2009 (This event has passed)

Description

Grand West brings on the legendary Eddy Grant this February! Since "Blackskin, Blue Eyed Boys" through "Living on the Frontline", Eddy Grant has been known as a vociferous promoter of the culture and achievements of contemporary black people through socio-political commentary. His meticulous method of recording is to a great degree responsible for his reputation. He has played every single instrument, sung every vocal part and produced every track on all of his solo albums.

Born in Guyana in 1948, Eddy was exposed during his childhood to the distinctive sounds of African and Indian music which is a part of Guyana's rich musical landscape along with the music of the surrounding countries such as Suriname and in particular Trinidad and Tobago. In the 60’s his musician father moved the family to Kentish Town, North London, where he was exposed to the rock and roll of Chuck Berry and the nascent pop music scene. This early combination of ethnic and commercial pop influences culminated in Eddy founding the Equals, probably the finest and certainly the first multi-racial pop/rock outfit to achieve international acclaim.

During the 1970's he began the process of merging the influences of early pop, rock and soul with the calypso music of the Caribbean countries and the African rhythms of his childhood, to form a unique hybrid - the influential sound of Soca music - now crystallized in his more recent albums. Commercially the 80's were enormously successful for Eddy Grant - in less than four years he enjoyed eight major international hit singles. Remember “Electric Avenue”, “I Don't Wanna Dance” and “Romancing the Stone”? By that time he had astutely established his own label, Ice Records.

Eddy Grant has always maintained a strong political voice with his songs "War Party", and the unforgettable South African unofficial anthem "Gimme Me Hope Jo'anna" (that stood for Johannesburg). Now he is on his way to the country he so fiercely supported to showcase his greatest hits and a brand of music he calls "Ringbang". This new genre that has taken the Caribbean by storm; a distinctly Caribbean musical concept that Grant has developed, that he loosely defines as a "bridge between rhythms, focusing one's attention on rhythm and the part it plays internationally. What Ringbang seeks to do is envelop all the rhythms that have originated from Africa so that they become one, defying all geographical boundaries." It also carries with it a philosophy conceptualised for the Caribbean People in particular the Youth, though it may be applied to any group of people. Don’t miss hearing the tunes of Eddy Grant on his nationwide South African tour in February 2009!

Need to know? Venue: Grandwest Casino & Entertainment World, 1 Vanguard Drive, Goodwood. Time: Support act 1 - 19h30 to 20h00, Eddy Grant on stage - 20h30 (90 minutes). Tickets: R321.00 Golden Circle Standing, R294.00 Lower Mezzanine Rows A to H, R269.00 General Standing, R218.00 Upper Mezzanine Rows J to Q, R269.00 Disabled Platform. Bookings: Computicket.