IN 1982 when Reggae crooner Tony Gregory recorded a demo of Gypsy Girl, little did he know the impact it would have on music lovers.

He never intended to release the tune which has now become a signature that must be performed every time Gregory hits the stage. “I wrote that song for a singer in Germany and he couldn’t handle it,” Gregory tells the Sunday Observer.

Even now the song remains a favourite among music lovers…but that’s not the only thing Gregory has going for him. The singer and lyricist prides himself on being a “love specialist”. His Italian wife of 15 years, Nina, real ‘gypsy girl’ is all smiles beside him at the Observer’s office as he made the admission.

Gregory has written and performed many beautiful love songs including Baby Come on Home, You Are Mine (duet with Marcia Griffiths) and Only A Fool Breaks Hi Own Heart.

A man who loves nature, Gregory says he and his wife spent a lot of time — as much as hours a day — in the garden of their home in St Ann, that experience he says gets his adrenaline flowing.

This year Gregory will be celebrating 50 years of recording. To celebrate that he will be releasing an album sometime in the next few months with selective songs recorded over the last 50 years.

“It will be volume I and II because they are so many to choose from,” Gregory says of his upcoming project.

Being in the business for so many years it is surprising that alot of people still aren’t familiar with the singer’s catalogue.

“I spent most of my time in Europe, my success was in that part of the world, including Germany, where I lived for 30 years,” Gregory explains.

Gregory has also not been a prominent figure on the local stage. Last year he performed about nine times — which he says is a rarity.

“I choose the shows and if the concept is not right, I won’t work. I will not fall into the pattern of what I call here factory music, exactly what you see on stage it’s a hype.”

“They fight one another on stage, they spend most of the time in interview putting down each other, how could I be a part of that?” Gregory quips.

“I love performing, but it’s difficult here. Young people are not tuned to songs that are melodic and musically constructive,” he observes.

The foundation singer was quick to point out that he is in no way knocking the music of today, but couldn’t help acknowledge the fact that good musicians are not getting their due.

“There are fantastic musicians, fantastic singers in this country who make incredible music but they will never get airplay — even if they do, it’s in a time at late night programme. It is in this type of environment. Been there and done that at this stage of my life don’t need to go through that.

Gregory honed his talent at the Alpha Boys School, where he later he earned a scholarship to Cathedral Choir under Father Healey. In 1957 Gregory gave everyone a taste of his talent when he walked away with the first prize in the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour — a popular talent competition of the time.

It was not surprising that the following year he would go pro in the music business — this after winning other talent shows and working with Bertie King Big Band.

In 1960 the singer joined Byron Lee and the Dragonaires as lead vocalist. That stint only lasted for three years and soon saw Gregory releasing his first single Baby and working on overseas gigs with artiste such as The Drifters, Chuck Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles and Sammy Davis Jr.

In 1972 Gregory moved to Germany, moving back to Jamaica in the ’90s to set up his publishing company Sunland Music and entertainment company, Gregory Entertainment Limited.

For 2011 Gregory is now busy writing a new set of songs with plans of going into the studio.

Presently the singer is receiving a lot of buzz with his singles I Don’t Want To and A Little Loving.