Joe Grech

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Joe Grech in 2005
For the Maltese politician, see Joe Debono Grech. For the Maltese snooker player, see Joe Grech (snooker player). For the Australian Catholic bishop, see Joseph Grech.

Joseph "Joe" Grech, (born 9 February 1934) is a Maltese singer, who was born in Cospicua, Malta. He is best known for introducing the Maltese language to the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, the first appearance from Malta on this pan-European television event.

Early years

At a very early stage in his life, Joe started to play the trumpet with the

Zejtun
Band Club. However, he soon switched to singing.

He was the first singer to win the first

Malta Song Festival in 1960, a festival which was organized by the Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara, the local section of the Young Christian Workers. The festival was held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun, Malta. Ten songs were presented in the semi-final of 3 November and another ten songs on the semi-final of 4 November. Out of these twenty songs, ten made it to the final night of 5 November 1960. The winning song was Grech's own composition "Vola Uccellino".[1]

The festival was also transmitted on Rediffusion Malta, then a cable radio service provider in Malta since September 1935.[2] Victor Aquilina and Marlene Lauri were the comperes of this festival. Two orchestras conducted by Prof. Giorlando Valente and Mro. Dominic Vella respectively, accompanied the ten songs. Eight of these songs were sung in Italian, one in English and one in Maltese, the latter being "L-Għada tal-Festa Ma' Vitorin". This song was sung by Frans Fenech and Terry L. Bencini. Incidentally Terry was also awarded the Best Singer Trophy of this festival.

Again in 1962, Grech was classified as the winner of the

Malta Song Festival
with the song "Żgħażagħ Rebbieħa" written and composed by Ivo Galea B.A. Hons L.P. This was also interpreted by Carmen Schembri, later Gusman. Carmelo Abela was responsible for the orchestration.

Grech married Josephine née' Buttigieg on 24 September 1961. They have a daughter Marcelle, also a versatile singer.

In 1965, the "Impresa Valente" chose Grech to represent Malta in the Italian Festival of Martina Franca. Another Maltese singer, Tony Agius, also participated in this festival. In those days, it was very rare for a Maltese singer to participate in an Italian festival, let alone win a trophy as the Best Foreign Singer of this Italian festival. The then Italian High Commissioner of Italy for Malta, Antonio Spada, presented a trophy to Joe Grech[3]

In 1967, Joe managed to establish himself as one of Malta's most popular pop singers. His

45 rpm
in less than two years. These records continued to increase the popularity of Grech both in Malta and in the Maltese diaspora. In these four recordings, Grech was always accompanied by the orchestra of Mro. Spiro Zammit.

Again in 1967,

33 rpm
of Maltese songs.

The 1970s

On 3 April 1971, Joe was the first Maltese singer to represent

Marija l-Maltija" was translated into Swedish and was included in the repertoire of the Swedish singer Lasse Berghagen
.

In the 1970s, Grech successfully toured the London, Scottish and Irish circuits. He also had many successful tours in Canada, America, Italy and Australia. It was during one of these tours that Grech, under the management of Joe Stafrace, recorded a Long Playing Album "Saħħa Malta With Joe Grech". The orchestra on this LP was composed mostly of members of the Sydney Opera House orchestra, under the direction of Joe Paparone.[6] The song "Evviva l-Maltin" was composed by Grech himself, specifically for his Australian tour and was dedicated to the several thousands of Maltese living down under. In 1976, Grech performed at the Royal Ballroom of Melbourne, and on 12 March 1977, he gave a spectacular show at the Sydney Opera House.[7] Also in 1977, W&G Records published an extended play featuring Grech's daughter Marcelle accompanied by a narration from the voice of the legendary Maltese broadcaster Charles Abela Mizzi, together with another single sung by Joe and Marcelle.

Incidentally the record "Saħħa Malta" was first issued in the early 1970s as the "B" side to "Is-Sajjied". The single was published by "Anthony D'Amato" of Valletta. Grech was accompanied on this record by his own group, made up of Edward Briffa on the Accordion, John Guffrey and Tony Pace on the guitars and a certain George on the drums. The recording was made at the studios of Malta Television. Later on, these two songs were also included on a Long Playing Album compilation issued also by Anthony D'Amato, entitled Souvenir of Malta Vol 1 ( ADLS 8001).

Tracks of the Long Playing Album "Saħħa Malta with Joe Grech":

Side 1

  • Welcome To Malta
  • In-Nassab
  • Marija l-Maltija
  • Surriento
  • Godfather
  • Għada Tkun Tiegħi

Side 2

  • Evviva L-Maltin
  • Another Time Another Place
  • Xalata Bil-Karrozzin
  • Is-Sajjied
  • Viva La Spagna
  • Saħħa Malta

Musical arrangements: Joe Paparone. Distributed by : M & G Record Co, Melbourne.

The Third Millennium & Awards

In the year 2000, Joe published a CD entitled "Katarin, Joe Grech, Marcelle & Philip." Arranged and produced by Mr. Joe Brown, the CD contains 15 tracks all sung in the Maltese language.

Joe Grech's generosity and charitable character were brought to the attention of the Order of Malta. In 2002, the Order awarded him the Cross of Merit.[citation needed]

On 13 December 2019, Grech was awarded the prestigious award "Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika" (Medal for Service to the Republic) by the President of Malta.[8]

Grech is the brother of religious philanthropist and veteran broadcaster Mons Victor Grech, one of the founders of

Caritas
Malta.

References

  1. ^ The GO Eurosong 2010, PBS TVM Souvenir Brochure, "The First Malta Song Festival 1960" by Tony Micallef
  2. ^ Remig Sacco, 'Ix-Xandir f'Malta', Malta 1985, page 19
  3. ^ It-Torca, 9 May 1965
  4. ^ "Audiovision Productions Ltd". Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  5. ^ Times of Malta,11 December 1967
  6. ^ "Joe Paparone, music arranger, orchestrator and composer".
  7. ^ Times of Malta, 23 March 1977 Page 13
  8. ^ Times of Malta 13 December 2019. "Who was awarded Republic Day honours and awards?" On-Line: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/republic-day-honours-and-awards.756892 Retrieved 13 December 2019
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
None
(first time entry)
 Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest
1971 		Succeeded by
L-imħabba
"
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