Meet Freda Payne's Ex-Husband, Singer Gregory Abbott: A Journey Through Love, Music, And Life

Let me tell you a story about two incredible talents who once shared a life together. Freda Payne, the legendary singer whose 1970 hit "Band of Gold" took the world by storm, found herself in the arms of another musical genius, Gregory Abbott. These two powerhouse artists tied the knot in 1976, welcoming their son, Gregory Abbott Jr., into the world a year later. But their story is more than just music—it’s about family, passion, and resilience.

A Life in Music and Beyond

Gregory Abbott, born and raised in Harlem, New York, has a fascinating background that blends his Caribbean roots with American culture. His parents hailed from Venezuela and Antigua, and he holds dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Antigua. Growing up, Gregory was surrounded by creativity and family connections—he’s cousins with Diahnne Abbott, who was married to none other than Robert De Niro from 1976 to 1988. But Gregory's journey wasn’t just about music. He also pursued an academic career, teaching English at the University of California, Berkeley. It’s safe to say this guy has always had a diverse set of talents.

When Love Takes a Different Path

Though their love story was beautiful, it wasn’t meant to last forever. Gregory and Freda parted ways in 1979, but their divorce didn’t stop them from continuing to shine in their respective careers. Freda went on to host her own talk show in 1981, and she opened up about their marriage in her 2021 memoir, Band of Gold. In an interview with Closer, Freda shared, “Most fans know I’m from Detroit, but they will learn things about me and my sister and how we were raised. And then, of course, all the juicy stuff starts when I get to New York at 18. So people will learn about my romantic relationships. It’s my life and my journey.”

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Gregory’s Rise to Stardom

After their split, Gregory Abbott soared to new heights with the release of his 1986 debut album’s lead single, Shake You Down. This track not only topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 but also claimed the top spot on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. For Gregory, this was the big break he’d been chasing since his college days. In a February 1987 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he revealed, “Making music and singing is what I really love to do. I have a strong academic background so I could—and have—earned a living using that education: teaching, research, etc. But I’m into music. I want to play it, write it, sing it, produce it. But for a long time, it was just a serious hobby.”

Returning to the Spotlight

Gregory’s musical journey didn’t stop there. He went on to collaborate with Whitney Houston and even won the first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival. In 2019, he made a triumphant return to the music scene with a new song after years of focusing on writing and producing. His R&B ballad, “My Heart Has Found a Home,” was released under Mojo Man Entertainment. To mark the 35th anniversary of “Shake You Down,” Gregory released a new track called “Summer in the City” in September 2021. In a heartfelt message on his website, he wrote, “We have had more than our share of stress lately. In light of this, and with the winter months behind us, I thought it would be nice to write a warm-weather song. One where we remember our connection to each other and more importantly to love.”

Today, Gregory remains active on social media, keeping fans updated on his life and music. Though he and Freda kept their son, Gregory Jr., out of the spotlight, Freda did share a sweet moment in September 2021 when she celebrated her birthday with her son. It’s clear that their bond, though no longer romantic, remains strong.