ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É

Reggae artiste Glen Washington is eagerly anticipating his upcoming birthday bash, the Glen Washington EarthStrong, scheduled to be held at Prestige Palace in Freeport, Long Island, New York on July 18.

The singer is planning to go all out to ensure that his 70th birthday is one to remember as he steps into the era of being a 'singing septuagenarian' in style.

"It is the big 7-0. Normally, I have a little birthday event, but this is going to be a bash," Washington said.

"Artistes such as Lady G, Sammy Dread, Brigadier Jerry, Michael Palmer, Marcia Aiken, [and] Clement Gordon will be flying in especially for the event, and it's going to be a nice one. People from nuff places and various different deejays will be playing. Mi plan fi fling down da night deh, hits after hits," the jovial singer said.

The artistes will be backed by Washington's State of Emergency band. Music will be provided by Fire-Lex sound, King Protection sound, and C-Rich sound.

Recently, Washington performed at a club in Marietta, Georgia where he wowed a fair-size audience with a mix of his popular reggae hits like Strangers in the Night, Consider Me, and Kindness for Sweetness, as well as songs from his latest album, Just Giving Thanks.

"The Kenyan football team gave me an honorary plaque during my performance. It was a great event," Washington said.

Washington's journey in music began in the early 1970s as the lead singer of Names and Faces, and later with 35 Incorporated, where he learnt to play drums under reggae legend Joseph Hill. Over the years, he has released more than 40 singles and 11 albums, two of which have been nominated for Grammys.