KINGSTON, GHANA, FLORIDA, NEW YORK, THE UNITED KINGDOM…MARCIA GRIFFITHS KICKS OFF HER 60th ANNIVERSARY IN MARCH!

Queen of Reggae Marcia Griffiths will be hosting a series of concerts to commemorate her 60th anniversary in music.

Dubbed ‘Marcia and Friends’, Griffiths told the Jamaica Observer that the showcases, which kick off in March, will see her celebrating each decade of her career through performances.

“Ky-Mani Marley was going to be one of them to fill in for his father because me and Bob Marley did a song, Free I’s son was also gonna do work. So, that’s from the 60s. I-Three, mainly the 70s, 80s, and then we go up to the 90s which is where everything climaxed. This is the only show that’s gonna be like that in Jamaica with so many artistes,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The date for the Jamaican leg of the tour will be announced shortly. Griffiths, however, noted that it will be held at King’s House in St Andrew with renowned R&B singer Patti LaBelle slated to be the guest performer. The local staging promises to be the biggest, according to Griffiths.

The other dates include Ghana (March), Florida (May 12), New York (July), and the United Kingdom (August).

For the time being, Griffiths said she will not be making any appearances on major shows as she invests her effort into the anniversary tour.

She explained that this is the reason she will not be performing at Rebel Salute this weekend, even though event organizer Tony Rebel had been advertising her as one of the confirmed acts.

“I said to him I would love to do it had it not been for the celebration, and I don’t like to have my name calling up so regular before this main event, plus Patti LaBelle is supposed to be my special guest artiste and when we contacted her, it’s a little after Easter time she will be available. I said to him I don’t want to do anything around that time ’cause I turn down two shows already,” she told the Observer.

Griffiths also said she was never formally contracted for the event, and reiterated that she would not be able to perform at the show.

“I don’t like to be overexposed, especially when I have a main event coming up. I really wanted to do it, but I am unable to,” she added.

Rebel Salute — which is celebrating its 30th anniversary — is set for January 19 and 20 at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St Ann.

In the meantime, Griffiths said she is anticipating a successful tour where she will have an opportunity to connect with her fans, whom she refers to as family.

“They’re so loyal and sincere. I love them, truly. I owe it all to my fans. I am just doing this because I want to show them how grateful I am and just giving back, because it’s not a lot of people last, in this male-dominated business, for 60 years and is still consistent. So, I think this is really amazing and [a] blessing from God,” she said.