It’s been almost one year since Freddie McGregor suffered a stroke, and while the veteran hitmaker’s recovery is not 100 percent, he says things are looking up. He completed a well-received tour in August, snared a number-one song, and received an award from a leading Jamaican media house.
McGregor will commit the remainder of 2023 to therapy and hopes the new year sees him continue to make physical progress.
“Japan was great, I thought so too was Reggae Sumfest. The UK was even better than expected, because we had great turnouts, so now we are holding off performances until next year,” he said. “We’re looking at the USA, Africa, and whatever happens after, whilst using the rest of the year for therapy, to try and strengthen myself and take some needed rest.”
In September, his song, I’ll Be Waiting, topped the South Florida Reggae Chart. The single is from his album, A Breath Of Fresh Air, which was released by Stingray Records last June.
The 67 year-old singer suffered the stroke in November, 2023 in South Florida where he has lived for many years. He immediately began physiotherapy but rehearsed songs with his sons Chino and Stephen while recuperating.
Two months ago, he began his comeback by performing on the MSC Bellisima which hosted Japanese sound system Mighty Crown’s farewell cruise. Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay was next, followed by dates in the United Kingdom.
Capping a successful year, McGregor was given the RJRGleaner Honor Award’s Entertainment Lifetime Achievement Award on September 19. A representative accepted the accolade on his behalf.
“I am so thankful for the RJRGleaner Honor Award. It shows that hard work and sacrifice does pay off. Thank you Jah,” he said.
Freddie McGregor started his career at the legendary Studio One in the early 1960s under the stewardship of his mentor, Clement “Coxsone” Dodd. His breakthrough hit came in 1979 with Bobby Babylon.
He scored a number of hit songs throughout the 1980s and 1990s, such as Big Ship, Push Come To Shove, That Girl and Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely.
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