Ronnie Butler

Bahamian entertainer and singer

Singer
musician
entertainer

Years active1958–2017StyleCalypso, Rake-and-scrapeChildren5, 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".^[2] 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.^[5]

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]

References

^ Adderly, Morgan (November 30, 2017). "Remembering Ronnie Butler". The Tribune. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ ^a ^b Moss, Shavaughn (October 31, 2014). "'Godfather of Bahamian music' honored". The Nassau Guardian. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
^ "Ronnie Butler | The Official Site of The Bahamas". Bahamas.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
^ Poitier, Khashan (February 3, 2004). "The Nassau Guardian - Island Boy, Ronnie Butler". The Nassau Guardian. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
^ ^a ^b Bahamas, Jones (November 20, 2017). "Ronnie Butler Dies". The Bahama Journal. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ Various Artists (Artist). "Various Artists - Why Did I Get Married Too - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. Retrieved September 1, 2019.