Rockin' Dopsie
| Rockin' Dopsie | |
|---|---|
 The cover for Rockin' Dopsie's 1986 "Crowned Prince of Zydeco" (Maison De Soul) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alton Rubin |
| Born | February 10, 1932 |
| Died | August 26, 1993 (aged 61) |
| Genres | Zydeco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, singer |
| Instruments | Accordion, vocals |
| Years active | 1970–1992 |
| Labels | Sonet |
| Associated acts | Rockin' Dopsie and the Twisters |
Rockin' Dopsie (a.k.a. Rockin' Dupsee) (February 10, 1932 – August 26, 1993) was born Alton Rubin in Carencro, Louisiana. He was a leading Zydeco musician and accordion player who enjoyed popular success first in Europe and later in the United States.[1]
Career
Dopsie began performing professionally in the late 1940s in Lafayette, Louisiana.[1] His first language was Louisiana Creole French.
Dopsie's debut album came out on Sonet Records of Sweden. He recorded five albums for that label over the next few years and made frequent European tours starting in 1979. His song "That Was Your Mother" with Paul Simon appeared on the Graceland album (1986). Dopsie later recorded with Bob Dylan and appeared in the film Delta Heat in 1992.[1]
Death and legacy
Since Dopsie's death from heart failure in 1993, his band, The Twisters, continues to perform. Now led by his son Dopsie Jr. (accordionist, vocalist and washboard player), with another son Alton Jr., on drums, the band is called Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters.[2] Dopsie's younger son Dwayne also plays accordion and leads his own band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers.[3]
Dopsie is related to Chanda Rubin, who is a professional tennis championship player .
Quotation
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My Little Girl (sample)
 An audio sample of "My Little Girl" (from Zy De Blue, 1977) |
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
"I'm the only man in the world that plays the accordion upside-down," Rockin' Dopsie said. "It's all because daddy didn't taught me how to play. I just picked it up."[4]
Selected discography
- Doin' the Zydeco (1976, Sonet SNTF 718)
- Zy De Blue – Rockin' Dopsie and the Twisters Play the Blues (1977, Sonet SNTF 761)
- Rockin' Dopsie & The Twisters (1977, Rounder 6012, licensed from Sonet)
- Rockin' Dupsee (The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Vol. 30) (1983, Flyright 592, recorded 1970–74)
- Crowned Prince of Zydeco (1986, Maison De Soul 1020)
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Allmusic biography
- ↑ Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters – website
- ↑ Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers – website
- ↑ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues – From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 160. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
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