A massive hit for American singer Lobo in 1972, ‘I’d Love You to Want Me’ was also a smash for John Holt, who covered the song for his acclaimed album, ‘1000 Volts of Holt’, released the following year.
Baltimore-based singer Tony Roy also takes a crack at the classic ballad. He co-produced his version with Wayne Holness. Interestingly, Tony Roy had no knowledge of the original. He first heard Holt’s cover three years ago while vacationing in Arizona and was determined to put his spin on it.
“The first time I heard it, I know I had to do a version. Dat song neva leave my head,” said Tony Roy.
Holness, a keyboardist and bass guitarist, is one of the musicians who accompanied him on ‘I’d Love You to Want Me’. Drummer/percussionist Joslyn McKenzie, guitarist Ragmar “GSharp” Rochester, saxophonist Walter Tates Jr and Maria Smith on background vocals, complete the band.
From St. Thomas parish in eastern Jamaica, Tony Roy has lived in the Baltimore/Washington DC region for almost 30 years. He is a mainstay of that area’s reggae scene, playing drums in bands such as Rising Sun and Covenant.
‘Bad Boy Johnny’ and ‘Live My Life’ are two of Tony Roy’s previous songs. ‘Waiting List’, his album, was released in 2011.
