Hits of Motown

Roy G Hemmings embodies the golden era of mid-’60s simplicity, a period when creative expression surfaced in music. He triumphs at capturing the energy and magnetism of singers back then. Artistes who were renowned for captivating audiences for the sheer love of music. They who dominated night-life establishments created for rebellion and underground entertainment. Back then, music was soul, and it fed the appetite of those who fell into its lure. Years later, and Roy’s music has not lost its potency. It still incites, excites and delights and can pull at both the feet and the heartstrings!

Roy has finessed his infusion of rhythm and blues, soul and even jazz elements to entertain a wide selection of audiences. Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Roy left the island at a young age and lived in both the United States and Europe, consecutively. Ruled by his passion for music Roy went on to create his first band in the ’60s, Stax Explosion – a British Soul campaign to capitalise on the success of Rhythm and Blues that had erupted onto the European scene.

Roy was seen performing by Faye Treadwell, a formidable businesswoman, who had inherited the role of managing the iconic Drifters – a band that had a host of singers passing through its ranks. Roy was enlisted for his soulful sound and is cited as being the longest-serving former member, working alongside founder Johnny Moore for more than 12 years.

A multi-talented singer-songwriter, Roy first enjoyed success when he signed a recording deal with Magnet Records in the mid-‘70s with the J.A.L.N. Band, one of the first bands to dominate the British charts with the dance record, ‘Disco Music, I Like It’ co-produced by Pete Waterman and featured on the BBC Top of the Pops, a British music chart television programme, popular between the 60s until the mid-2000s.

After three well-received albums, Roy launched his solo career with the release of his first critically acclaimed album in 1997; ‘No Afro, No Sequins, No Flares’. He followed this in 1999 with his second solo album, ‘All Talked Out’. The release of his latest album in 2017, ‘Philly vs Motown’ includes songs from his stage show and features an ode to ‘Drifters’ classic, ‘Like Sister and Brother’.

Tickets for this show are non-refundable. In the event of a cancellation, ticket holders will be contacted.

Listen to some of the greatest Motown songs here: