Emile Straker
Charles Emile Straker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Emil Straker 31 March 1936 Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Died | 19 June 2026 (aged 90) |
| Other name | Sir Emile Straker |
| Spouse | Joyce Johnson (1961–2021, her death) |
Sir Charles Emile Straker (31 March 1936 – 19 June 2026) was a Barbadian musician[1][2] and songwriter and a onetime lead singer of the Calypso group, The Merrymen. In 2000, Straker was one of 100 Barbadians awarded a Barbados Centennial Honour. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2013 New Year's Honours[3] and, in 2019, he was made a Knight of the Order of St Andrew.
Early life and education
[edit]Straker was born in Bridgetown, Barbados on 31 March 1936.[4] He grew up in Queen’s Park and attended Harrison College.[5][6][7] When he was 20, he joined the Purina Boys Steel Band.[5]
Soon afterward, Straker moved to Canada.[5] In Montreal, he studied commercial art.[8] He also played with a group called the Calypso Bandits,[8] with three Trinidadians.[7]
Career
[edit]Straker returned to Barbados[5] and, in 1963, he co-founded the five-piece calypso group, The Merrymen. Straker was the band's lead singer and songwriter.
In the mid-1960s, the band signed with EMI and released the albums, Sam Lord and Wings of a Dove.[8] The band made a total of 40 albums,[9] some of which were recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London England.
The group played around the world including in Bermuda at the Tennis Stadium on 16 April 1966, in London at Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall, in Toronto at the Skydome, in the United States at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, and in the Netherlands.[9] In 1979, The Merrymen played the halftime show at Superbowl XIII.
Of Straker, one of his other band members, Robin Hunte, said "in the 30 years The Merrymen had played, he never knew what song Emile Straker would play once they got on the platform. The rest of the band just... fell into sync after Straker played the first notes."[10]
The band broke up temporarily in 2013.[9]
Personal life and death
[edit]Straker married Joyce Irene Johnson on 18 November 1961. The couple had three children. His wife died in 2021.[11]
In 2023, Straker published his autobiography, "My Island and Me".[5]
Until his death in 2026, Straker lived in Barbados with late-stage dementia. Straker died on the morning of 19 June 2026, at the age of 90.[12]
Awards and honours
[edit]Straker was awarded an honorary doctorate in law from the University of the West Indies.[13][14] The orator described him as "a legend from the world of Barbadian music, a man whose unforgettable songs have formed a soundtrack to our lives for nearly fifty years, a man who has done more than anyone else to bring the very best of Caribbean folk arts and culture to a global audience".[13]
Straker was awarded the Barbados Service Star in 1981, the Pride of Barbados Award in 1998, the Barbados Centennial Honour in 2000,[13] and the National Award of Excellence in 2010.
In 2012, Straker was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire[7] in the 2013 New Year's Honours.[3]
In 2015, he was recognised as a living musical legend at the Caribbean Muzik Festival along with Jimmy Cliff, Hugh Masakela, McCartha Sandy-Lewis, Omara Portoundo and Ronnie Butler.[15]
In 2019, Straker was knighted[16][17] at a ceremony at the Kensington Oval in Barbados by the Governor-General of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason.
References
[edit]- ^ "Spectacular launch to come off this evening". Barbados Advocate. 6 January 2016. p. 4. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via University of Florida Digital Collections.
- ^ "Barbados We Come From". Barbados Advocate (Editorial). 6 January 2016. p. 8. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via University of Florida Digital Collections.
- ^ a b "Appointments to the Order of the British Empire". The London Gazette. No. 60369. 29 December 2012. p. 39.
- ^ Straker, Emile (2023). Roett, John (ed.). My Island and Me. Canada: [Unidentified]. pp. xi. ISBN 978-976-8304-42-1.
- ^ a b c d e "Book Review: My Island and Me". Barbados Today. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ^ "Music a hallmark of Harrison College". News. Daily Nation. Bridgetown, Barbados. 16 December 2018. pp. 46A – via Newsbank: Access Global.
- ^ a b c Boyce, John (30 November 2018). "Merry music from HC days". News. Daily Nation. Bridgetown, Barbados. p. 24 – via Newsbank: Access Global.
- ^ a b c Steckles, Garry (8 December 1983). "Merry and not quite contrary is their formula for success: Barbadian legends bring their familiar calypso beat back home to Montreal". The Gazette. pp. C1. Archived from the original on 8 December 2003 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Return of The Merrymen". Royal Gazette. Bermuda. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ^ Fraser, Jewel (12 November 1993). "That's Show Business (Popularity Pays)". Caribbean Week. p. 21. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via University of Florida Digital Collections.
- ^ Today, Barbados (17 May 2021). "Joyce Lady Straker passes away". Barbados Today. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Barbadian music icon Sir Charles Emile Straker passes away
- ^ a b c "Citation for the Conferment of an Honorary Degree on Charles Amile Straker, BCH". University of West Indies. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ "Library digital catalogue record for the Citation for the conferment of an honorary degree on Emile Charles Straker". UWISpace. UWI. 2022.
- ^ "Time to make Muzik". 2 September 2015.
- ^ Joseph, Emmanuel (29 November 2019). "Independence accolades bestowed on musicians and educator". Barbados Today. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
Two local entertainers and an educator and gender equality advocate are the recipients of this country's newest and highest national awards.... the musical legend Emile Straker, has been endowed with the British version – the Knight of St Andrew – and will be known as Sir Emile for being the creative force in the establishment and the development of the internationally renowned Merrymen and its unique genre of music.
- ^ "Year in Review – Entertainment all year round". Barbados Today. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
On November 29, a day before Independence Day, it was announced that two other outstanding entertainers would be honoured.... Dr Anthony Gabby Carter and Emile Straker receiving the highest honours in the land. Gabby, who has an honorary doctorate from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, received the first ever Order of the Freedom of Barbados Award... Straker, meantime, opted for the traditional knighthood and is now known as Sir Emile. He was awarded for being the creative force in the establishment and the development of the internationally renowned Merrymen and its unique genre of music.
External links
[edit]- Emile Straker discography at Discogs
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