Ronnie Butler Explained

Honorific Suffix:MBE
Birth Name:Prince Ronald Butler
Birth Date:17 August 1937
Birth Place:Nassau, Bahamas
Death Place:Nassau, Bahamas
Nationality:Bahamian
Years Active:1958–2017
Style:Calypso, Rake-and-scrape
Children:5, including Ron Butler Jr.

Prince Ronald Butler Sr., MBE (August 17, 1937 – November 19, 2017)[1] was a Bahamian calypso and rake-and-scrape entertainer and singer. Butler was often referred to as "The Godfather of Bahamian Music" and his career spanned more than five decades.[2]

Career

Butler began his career in music at the age of 16. He performed in Bahamian local nights spots such as Ronnie's Rebel Room, the Rum Key, Big Bamboo, the Trade Winds Lounge, and Nassau Beach Hotel and has toured throughout Europe, South America and North America. Among his popular hits are songs "Burma Road", "Crow Calypso" and "Age Ain't Nothin' But A Number". He achieved great success and career longevity.

Butler's achievements were recognized in 2003 when he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[3] [4]

Family

Butler was the father of five children, one of which being actor Ron Butler Jr. He was also a grandfather to six grandchildren and a great grandfather to two great grandchildren.

Death

Ronnie Butler died at the age of 80, on the 19th of November, 2017, after a battle with Prostate cancer.[5]

In Popular Culture

Butler's single, "Married Man", was featured in Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?", which was shot in The Bahamas.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Adderly . Morgan . November 30, 2017 . Remembering Ronnie Butler . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20191230121409/http://www.tribune242.com/news/2017/nov/30/remembering-ronnie-butler/ . December 30, 2019 . April 6, 2024 . The Tribune . en.
  2. Web site: Moss . Shavaughn . October 31, 2014 . 'Godfather of Bahamian music' honored . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827182422/http://www.thenassauguardian.com/lifestyles/pulse/51394-godfather-of-bahamian-music-honored . August 27, 2016 . July 19, 2016 . The Nassau Guardian.
  3. Web site: Ronnie Butler | The Official Site of The Bahamas . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201232921/https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/ronnie-butler . December 1, 2017 . September 1, 2016 . Bahamas.com.
  4. Web site: Poitier . Khashan . February 3, 2004 . The Nassau Guardian - Island Boy, Ronnie Butler . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100112082152/http://www.thenassauguardian.com/social_community/353452519627119.php . January 12, 2010 . April 25, 2010 . The Nassau Guardian.
  5. Web site: Bahamas . Jones . November 20, 2017 . Ronnie Butler Dies . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325180142/https://jonesbahamas.com/ronnie-butler-dies/ . March 25, 2023 . April 6, 2024 . The Bahama Journal.
  6. Web site: Various Artists (Artist) . Various Artists - Why Did I Get Married Too - Amazon.com Music . September 1, 2019 . Amazon.