Edmond Montague "Eddy" Grant (born 5 March 1948, in Plaisance, Guyana) is a British-Guyanese singer-songwriter
He had his first number-one hit in 1968, when he was the lead guitarist and main songwriter of the group The Equals, with his song "Baby Come Back".The tune also later topped the UK Singles Chart again when it was covered by Pato Banton. Another Equals' hits included "Viva Bobby Joe". In 1971, Grant went home to Guyana following a collapsed lung and heart infection which put him out of action at the beginning of that year. He promptly left The Equals to pursue his solo career.
Also a shrewd businessman, in 1972 he set up the first black-owned recording studio in Europe, Coach House, and began recording his own music on his Ice Records.As a result, he is thought to be the only major recording artist who owns the rights to all his songs. In 1979, Grant scored a hit "Living on the Frontline" under a distribution deal with Epic Records, which bought the masters to all of his recordings with the Equals and set up a record-pressing plant.
In 1981, Grant relocated to Barbados and built the Blue Wave studio complex. Around this time, Grant moved Ice Records distribution in Europe to RCA Records and recorded the album Killer on the Rampage. The relationship with RCA proved particularly fruitful as the album would spawn his hits "I Don't Wanna Dance" and "Electric Avenue". Both of these tracks made the UK Top five, with "I Don't Wanna Dance" going to number one in the UK chart in September / October 1982. In the US, Grant's recordings were distributed by CBS Records through its Epic and Portrait labels until 1988; Later albums were licensed to Enigma Records.
In 1991, Grant was the host of the first annual Caribbean Music Awards at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in New York.
Notably, he openly used his songwriting for political purposes, especially against the then-current apartheid regime of South Africa. The Clash recorded a version of "Police on My Back" for their Sandinista! triple album.
Later, Grant shifted his focus to Ice Records, and began reissuing recordings by calypso and soca artists, such as the Mighty Sparrow, Roaring Lion, Lord Melody and others. In 1993 Grant returned to his native Guyana to act in Darrell Wasyk's Mustard Bath (film).
Grant has been married for 40 years and has four children. He currently splits his time between his studio, label and the Pepperpot Nightclub.
In 2008 Grant undertook his first UK tour for more than twenty years, playing London's Bush Hall, Brighton Concorde 2, Cambridge Junction, Norwich Waterfront, and the Manchester Academy 2. He also performed at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute in London's Hyde Park, and at Glastonbury, Oxegen and T in the Park.
He still makes use of any opportunity to voice political concerns. However, during an appearance on British radio on 20 June 2008, he would not be drawn on the subject of the plight of the Zimbabwean people, citing a distrust of the way the situation has been reported in the press.
He played at the closing ceremony of the Indian Premier League in South Africa on 24 May 2009
7” SINGLE
A side: I Dont Wanna Dance
B side: I Dont Wanna Dance (Acapella)
Condition: Near Mint
Sleeve, Excellent
Released on the Ice Label
Date: 1982
Number: Ice 56
All Vinyl played before dispatch to ensure good playback.
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Record Grading
The grading system I use when determining the condition of the vinyl is The 'Record Collectors' Grading System, taken from the Rare Record Price Guide book.
Mint (M) The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
Near Mint (NM) The record looks brand new with no scuffing or any deterioration in sound quality and only the smallest hint that its ever been played. The cover and any additional extras are clean, crisp and with no wear whatsoever.
Excellent (EX) The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.
Very Good (VG) The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
Good (G) The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.
Fair (F) The record is still just about playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.
Poor (P) The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
I will not refund you if have not read and understood the grading system I use.
