Eddy Grant
| Eddy Grant | |
|---|---|
Grant performing in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edmond Montague Grant |
| Born |
5 March 1948 Plaisance, British Guiana |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1968–present |
| Labels | |
Edmond Montague "Eddy" Grant (born 5 March 1948) is a Guyanese British musician. He was a founding member of The Equals, one of the United Kingdom's first racially integrated pop groups. He is also known for a successful solo career that includes the platinum single "Electric Avenue". He also pioneered the genre ringbang.
Grant was born in Plaisance, British Guiana, later moving to Linden. His father, Patrick, was a trumpeter who played in Nello and the Luckies. While at school, his parents lived and worked in the United Kingdom, sending back money for his education. In 1960, he emigrated to join his parents to London. He lived in Kentish Town and went to school at the Acland Burghley Secondary Modern at Tufnell Park, where he learned to read and write music. He became a big fan of Chuck Berry, and after seeing him play at the Finsbury Park Astoria decided on a career in music.
In 1965, Grant formed The Equals, singing and playing guitar, and the band had two hit albums and a minor hit with the single "I Get So Excited" before having a number one hit in 1968 with his self-penned song "Baby Come Back". The tune also topped the UK Singles Chart in 1994, when covered by Pato Banton featuring Robin and Ali Campbell of the reggae group UB40. The Equals had five further top 40 hits in the UK up to the end of 1970. The Baby Come Back album featured a song by Grant titled, "Police on My Back" which was covered by The Clash on their 1980 album Sandinista!.Willie Nile released his cover of "Police on My Back" on his Streets of New York CD. The Equals' song "Green Light" co-written by Grant from their 1968 album Supreme, was covered by The Detroit Cobras, on their 2007 album, Tied & True.
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