Official Bio

Anthony G Richards was born to Bishop I M Richards and Evangelist Rose Burrell, the founder of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church, St Andrew Jamaica. Bishop Richards was a keen musician who loved to play many different instruments and Tony’s mum was a very gifted singer with a beautiful voice. Tony Rich has inherited his passion for singing from his musical family heritage and also cites his early musical influences as deriving from the church. As a teenager, he began drifting away from the church and began hanging around the studios with some local musicians. Tony Rich began his musical career in the early 1980’s as a studio engineer and Entertainment Manager for the legendary Zap Pow Band (of ‘This Is Reggae Music’ Fame).

During the early 80’s, Tony Rich worked as a live recording engineer, and has worked closely in the studios alongside reggae luminaries such as Beres Hammond, Ken Booth and John Holt. He had also worked with almost every major Jamaican reggae artiste during that period (with the exception of Bob Marley) Described as a singer blessed with a rich powerful voice, Tony Rich linked up with his close friend Tommy Cowan as a member of ‘The Jamaicans’ rock steady vocal harmony group, replacing lead singer Norris Weir when he emigrated to the United States. He recorded some singles with the group, but none of these recordings ever saw the light of day and he toured the island with the group between 1981-1984 singing renditions of their popular hits such as ‘Baba Boom’ and ‘Things' you say you love'. Carlene Davis, Tommy Cowan, Marlene & Tony Rich (As the ‘Jamaicans’) has also performed as an opening act at Reggae Sunsplash 1983 and 1984 for the legendary Dennis Brown, and has also opened up other stage show acts for artistes such as Leroy Smart, Yellowman and Sugar Minott. He was also lead singer for the group ‘Band cayman’ for a brief period. Tony Rich first landed on British soil in 1984 as a road manager for Gregory Isaacs and the Roots Radics Band. He also was a lead singer for the British Reggae group ‘Cimarons' in the early 1990’s, however it was during the mid 90’s that he encountered some personal problems. Following a chance encounter with a Christian friend at a recording studio in London, he said the sinners prayer and decided to rededicate his life to the Lord.

Since becoming a committed Christian, Tony Rich has made gospel music his passion and uses it as a tool to touch the hearts of many and winning souls for Christ. He has not only recorded individual albums such as ‘Man of Cyrene’, ‘I Saw the Light’, ‘Yes Jesus, you’re the One, the Smash Hit single, ‘I’m not sorry’, featuring Himself in combination with ‘Watchman’ , but as A&R/producer for Gospel Times label (Jet-Star Phonographics), he has produced top selling albums for reggae gospel artistes such as Denzil Dennis, Hensley King, Osmond Collins and the Proverbs 1 compilation album which featured Sylvia Tella, Carlene Davis, Don Campbell and Derek Morgan to name but a few. Tony Rich states that, he sees music not only as a tool to minister to others, but to also express his heartfelt thanks to God and remember his own traumatic experiences. In 2006, he fell gravely ill, whilst he was admitted into a London hospital for minor treatment. He under went numerous operations for nearly a year, (32 in total) in which his entire organs failed on one occasion, and was brought back to life by Doctors. Whilst he was going through physiotherapy and rehabilitation, he recorded ‘Solid Rock’, a powerful poignant song which recounted past experiences of how he was delivered by Jesus. This song is featured on the Firm Foundation Project compilation album. Tony Rich wishes to express to everyone his motto, which is based upon the bible and simply states , Jesus is Lord and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

Ministry

Discography

Firm Foundation Project
Sunday Service Vol 7
Sunday Service Vol 8
Denzil Dennis : Give Thanks
Hensley King: The King is Coming
Sunday Service Vol 2
Sunday Service Vol 4
Man of Cyrene : Movements 1
Osmond Collins : Do it Again
Osmond Collins: Walk the Walk
Proverbs Chapter 1
Lester Lewis: No boundaries

		Tony Rich I Saw The Light				Tony Rich Man of Cyrene
		Tony Rich Man Of Cyrene - Movement 1

Concerts

There are currently no upcoming events listed.

Contact / Booking:

Tel: Masters Music: + 44 (0) 7930 902 853

Official EMail:

singtonysing@yahoo.co.uk

Official Website:

www.myspace.com/originaltonyrich

Photos