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 (also known as 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.
His debut album was issued by Sonet Records of Sweden and he recorded five albums for the label over the next few years. He toured Europe frequently, 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 in 1992 appeared in the film Delta Heat.[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 was related to professional tennis championship player Chanda Rubin.
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 2 3 Sandra Brennan. "Rockin' Dopsie | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
- ↑ "Rockin' Dopsie Jr & The Zydeco Twisters". Rockindopsiejr.com. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
- ↑ "Home". Dwaynedopsie.com. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
- ↑ 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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