Joe Grech
Encyclopedia
Joseph Grech, a Maltese
singer, was born in Cospicua
, Malta
on 9 February 1934. He married Josephine née' Buttigieg on 24 September 1961. They have a daughter Marcelle, also a versatile singer. At a very early stage in his life, Joe started to play the trumpet with the Zejtun
Band Club. His real love was however singing.
. The festival was held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun
, Malta. Ten songs were presented in the semi final of Thursday 3 November and another ten songs on the semi-final of Friday 4 November. Out of these twenty songs, ten made it to the final night of Saturday 5 November 1960. The Winning Song was Joe Grech's own composition "Vola Uccellino".
The festival was also transmitted on Rediffusion
Malta, then a cable radio service provider in Malta since September 1935. 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-Ghada 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.
In 1965 the "Impresa Valente" chose Joe 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, Signor Antonio Spada, presented a trophy to Joe Grech
In 1967 Joe, managed to establish himself as one of Malta's most popular pop singers. His 45 rpm
entitled " Il- Kaccatur", The Hunter, published on Maltadisk APL 1005 B,and recorded by Audiovision Productions, with their studios then located in Zachary Street, Valletta
, and now at Mile End in Hamrun, started selling like pastizzi
(cheese-cakes) in Malta. It also made a tremendous success in countries where the Maltese and the Gozitans had a diaspora, especially Australia. "Il-Kaccatur" was composed by Joseph Ciappara with lyrics by Dr.George Zammit. Joe Grech was accompanied by the orchestra of Spiro Zammit. Incidentally "Il-Kaccatur" was designated as the "B" side of the record, with Carmen Schembri singing "L-Ghanja tal-Emigranti", The Emigrants' Song, being the "A" side.
Again in 1967, Rediffusion
Malta, published the first long playing album of Maltese compositions, entitled "Malta Song Festival 1967". Joe Grech, together with Mary Rose Darmanin, won this festival with the song "Serenata". Roger Moore
was the guest of honour in this 8th. Malta Song Festival, which was also held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun on Saturday 8th. December 1967. In this same festival, Joe Grech sang also "O Carina Madalena". The song was composed by Arthur Desira. It is included as the 2nd track on Side 1 of this album. Joe Grima and Victor Aquilina, then Head Of Programmes and Assistant Head Of Programmes respectively of Rediffusion
Malta, were the producers of this first 33 rpm of Maltese songs.
with the song "Marija l-Maltija
".Since it was sung in the Maltese language
, this rendered it the first Eurovision song which was sung in a Semitic language.If you click on the attached link,which can be found under References below, you will be able to enjoy the video of Joe's interpretation in that Eurovision Dublin night.The song was composed by Joe Grech himself, and the lyrics were written by Charles Mifsud. The orchestra of the Eurovision Song Contest was conducted by Mro. Twanny Chircop, the brother of another Maltese tenor and film star Oreste Kirkop
of The Vagabond King (1956 film)
. Incidentally it was Oreste Kirkop
who presented the winning trophy to Joe Grech on the night of that first 1960 Malta Song Festival. The song "Marija l-Maltija
" was translated into Swedish and was included in the repertoire of the Swedish singer Lasse Berghagen
.
In the early seventies, Joe 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 in the early seventies that Joe Grech, under the management of Joe Stafrace, recorded a Long Playing Album "Sahha 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. The song "Evviva l-Maltin" was composed by Joe himself, specifically for his Australian tour and was dedicated to the several thousands of Maltese living down under. In 1976, Joe performed at the Royal Ballroom of Melbourne, and on the 12 March 1977, Joe gave a spectacular show at the Sydney Opera House
.
Tracks of "Sahha Malta with Joe Grech":
Side 1
Side 2
Musical arrangements: Joe Paparone.
Distributed by : M & G Record Co, Melbourne.
His voice reminds the Maltese immigrants of their homeland. So much so, that many have returned to Malta together with their children, to see for themselves what Joe has been singing about all these years.
Joe has made friends all over the world. Joe's unselfish character and his charitable generosity were brought to the attention of the Knights Hospitaller
also known as Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of the Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, Order Of St.John, Knights of Malta and Chevaliers of Malta. In 2002, this Order awarded Joe Grech the Cross of Merit.
Maltese people
The Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
singer, was born in Cospicua
Cospicua
Ċittà Cottonera, Ċittà Cospicua, Cospicua is a double-fortified harbour city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is the largest of the Three Cities. It was also given a title as Citta' Cottonera, but erroneously the title is now used to define the whole region...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
on 9 February 1934. He married Josephine née' Buttigieg on 24 September 1961. They have a daughter Marcelle, also a versatile singer. At a very early stage in his life, Joe started to play the trumpet with the Zejtun
Zejtun
Żejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname....
Band Club. His real love was however singing.
Early years
He was the first singer to win the first Malta Song Festival in 1960, a festival which was organized by the Zghazagh Haddiema Nsara, the local section of the Young Christian WorkersYoung Christian Workers
The Young Christian Workers is an international organization founded by Rev. Joseph Cardijn in Belgium as the Young Trade Unionists; the organization adopted its present name in 1924. Its French acronym, JOC, gave rise to the then widely-used terms Jocism and Jocist...
. The festival was held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun
Hamrun
Ħamrun is a town in the Inner Harbour Region of Malta, with a population of 8,800 people .The villagers are traditionally known as Tas-Sikkina or as Ta' Werwer...
, Malta. Ten songs were presented in the semi final of Thursday 3 November and another ten songs on the semi-final of Friday 4 November. Out of these twenty songs, ten made it to the final night of Saturday 5 November 1960. The Winning Song was Joe Grech's own composition "Vola Uccellino".
The festival was also transmitted on Rediffusion
Rediffusion
Rediffusion was a business which distributed radio and TV signals through wired relay networks. The business gave rise to a number of other companies, including Associated-Rediffusion, later known as Rediffusion London, one of the first companies to win a terrestrial ITV franchise in the UK...
Malta, then a cable radio service provider in Malta since September 1935. 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-Ghada 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.
In 1965 the "Impresa Valente" chose Joe Grech to represent Malta in the Italian Festival of Martina Franca
Martina Franca
Martina Franca is a town and comune in the province of Taranto, Apulia , Italy. It is the second most populated city of the province after Taranto....
. 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, Signor Antonio Spada, presented a trophy to Joe Grech
In 1967 Joe, managed to establish himself as one of Malta's most popular pop singers. His 45 rpm
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
entitled " Il- Kaccatur", The Hunter, published on Maltadisk APL 1005 B,and recorded by Audiovision Productions, with their studios then located in Zachary Street, Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
, and now at Mile End in Hamrun, started selling like pastizzi
Pastizzi
A pastizz is a savoury pastry from Malta, usually stuffed with ricotta or mushy peas. Pastizzi are the most popular and best known culinary export of Malta.-Preparation:...
(cheese-cakes) in Malta. It also made a tremendous success in countries where the Maltese and the Gozitans had a diaspora, especially Australia. "Il-Kaccatur" was composed by Joseph Ciappara with lyrics by Dr.George Zammit. Joe Grech was accompanied by the orchestra of Spiro Zammit. Incidentally "Il-Kaccatur" was designated as the "B" side of the record, with Carmen Schembri singing "L-Ghanja tal-Emigranti", The Emigrants' Song, being the "A" side.
Again in 1967, Rediffusion
Rediffusion
Rediffusion was a business which distributed radio and TV signals through wired relay networks. The business gave rise to a number of other companies, including Associated-Rediffusion, later known as Rediffusion London, one of the first companies to win a terrestrial ITV franchise in the UK...
Malta, published the first long playing album of Maltese compositions, entitled "Malta Song Festival 1967". Joe Grech, together with Mary Rose Darmanin, won this festival with the song "Serenata". Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Sir Roger George Moore KBE , is an English actor, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. He also portrayed Simon Templar in the long-running British television series The Saint.-Early life:Moore was born in Stockwell, London...
was the guest of honour in this 8th. Malta Song Festival, which was also held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun on Saturday 8th. December 1967. In this same festival, Joe Grech sang also "O Carina Madalena". The song was composed by Arthur Desira. It is included as the 2nd track on Side 1 of this album. Joe Grima and Victor Aquilina, then Head Of Programmes and Assistant Head Of Programmes respectively of Rediffusion
Rediffusion
Rediffusion was a business which distributed radio and TV signals through wired relay networks. The business gave rise to a number of other companies, including Associated-Rediffusion, later known as Rediffusion London, one of the first companies to win a terrestrial ITV franchise in the UK...
Malta, were the producers of this first 33 rpm of Maltese songs.
The Seventies
On 3 April 1971 Joe was the first Maltese singer to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song ContestMalta in the Eurovision Song Contest
Malta has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1971. At first the island state sent songs in its native language, Maltese, but it failed to rank highly, and withdrew after the 1975 contest. Since its return in 1991, however, it has achieved eight top ten placings in a row, including...
with the song "Marija l-Maltija
Marija L-Maltija
"Marija l-Maltija" was the Maltese entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, performed in Maltese by Joe Grech...
".Since it was sung in the Maltese language
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
, this rendered it the first Eurovision song which was sung in a Semitic language.If you click on the attached link,which can be found under References below, you will be able to enjoy the video of Joe's interpretation in that Eurovision Dublin night.The song was composed by Joe Grech himself, and the lyrics were written by Charles Mifsud. The orchestra of the Eurovision Song Contest was conducted by Mro. Twanny Chircop, the brother of another Maltese tenor and film star Oreste Kirkop
Oreste Kirkop
Oreste Kirkop was born in Ħamrun in 1923. Oreste made his operatic debut in 1945 as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana. He continued singing opera with visiting Italian companies and appeared in concert with Tito Gobbi and Maria Caniglia....
of The Vagabond King (1956 film)
The Vagabond King (1956 film)
The Vagabond King is a 1956 musical film remake of the 1925 operetta The Vagabond King by Rudolf Friml. It starred Kathryn Grayson and Oreste Kirkop , with early roles for Rita Moreno and Leslie Nielsen. Sir Cedric Hardwicke played a notable supporting role. It was Walter Hampden's last movie....
. Incidentally it was Oreste Kirkop
Oreste Kirkop
Oreste Kirkop was born in Ħamrun in 1923. Oreste made his operatic debut in 1945 as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana. He continued singing opera with visiting Italian companies and appeared in concert with Tito Gobbi and Maria Caniglia....
who presented the winning trophy to Joe Grech on the night of that first 1960 Malta Song Festival. The song "Marija l-Maltija
Marija L-Maltija
"Marija l-Maltija" was the Maltese entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, performed in Maltese by Joe Grech...
" was translated into Swedish and was included in the repertoire of the Swedish singer Lasse Berghagen
Lasse Berghagen
Lars "Lasse" Nils Berghagen is a Swedish singer, songwriter, composer and actor.Berghagen is a well known singer-songwriter in Sweden. He released his first record in 1965, aged just 19. Four years later, in 1969, he released the single Teddybjörnen Fredriksson , which has become a classic...
.
In the early seventies, Joe 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 in the early seventies that Joe Grech, under the management of Joe Stafrace, recorded a Long Playing Album "Sahha Malta With Joe Grech". The orchestra on this LP was composed mostly of members of the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
orchestra, under the direction of Joe Paparone. The song "Evviva l-Maltin" was composed by Joe himself, specifically for his Australian tour and was dedicated to the several thousands of Maltese living down under. In 1976, Joe performed at the Royal Ballroom of Melbourne, and on the 12 March 1977, Joe gave a spectacular show at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
.
Tracks of "Sahha Malta with Joe Grech":
Side 1
- Welcome To Malta,
- In-Nassab,
- Marija l-Maltija,
- Surriento,
- Godfather,
- Ghada Tkun Tieghi.
Side 2
- Evviva L-Maltin,
- Another Time Another Place,
- Xalata Bil-Karrozzin,
- Is-Sajjied,
- Viva La Spagna,
- Sahha Malta.
Musical arrangements: Joe Paparone.
Distributed by : M & G Record Co, Melbourne.
The Cross Of Merit
Many Maltese living abroad refer to Joe as "the Voice of Malta".His voice reminds the Maltese immigrants of their homeland. So much so, that many have returned to Malta together with their children, to see for themselves what Joe has been singing about all these years.
Joe has made friends all over the world. Joe's unselfish character and his charitable generosity were brought to the attention of the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
also known as Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of the Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, Order Of St.John, Knights of Malta and Chevaliers of Malta. In 2002, this Order awarded Joe Grech the Cross of Merit.