David Rudder

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The Honourable
David Rudder
OCC
Birth nameDavid Michael Rudder
Born (1953-05-06) 6 May 1953 (age 70)
OriginBelmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
GenresCalypso, soca
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, producer, song-writer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1977–present
LabelsSire/Warner Bros. Records (1986–90)
Websitewww.davidmichaelrudder.com

The Honourable David Michael Rudder OCC (born 6 May 1953) is a Trinidadian calypsonian, known to be one of the most successful calypsonians of all time. He performed as lead singer for the brass band Charlie's Roots.[1] Nine years later, Rudder stepped outside the band, entering the calypso tent as a solo calypsonian in 1986, which was followed by an unprecedented rise to fame.[2]

"Almost overnight he became a national hero of the order of Marley in Jamaica, Fela in Nigeria and Springsteen in New Jersey," wrote Daisann McClane, American journalist and Worldbeat correspondent for Rolling Stone magazine.[3]

Rudder's music quickly became the subject of music critics around the world: "From New York to London to Tokyo, where the Japanese have released a CD of Rudder's greatest hits complete with lyrics translated into Japanese, Rudder has been described as modern calypso's most innovative songwriter."[2]

Early life[edit]

Born in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, one of nine children, Rudder spent much of his early life with his grandmother, a devout Baptist.[4] He began singing with a calypso band at the age of 11. In his teens, he sang backup vocals in a calypso tent run by calypsonian Lord Kitchener,[4] while earning his living as an accountant with the Trinidad Bus Company.[5]

Career[edit]

In 1977, Rudder joined Charlie's Roots, a leading band in Trinidad and Tobago, which launched with help and sponsorship from New York-based record producer Rawlson Charles.[6] Rudder spent many years as one of the band's vocalists.

In 1986, he came to prominence on Andy Narell's album The Hammer, which produced two big hits: "The Hammer" (a tribute to the late pannist Rudolph Charles) and "Bahia Girl". This was followed in 1987 with "Calypso Music", a brilliant encapsulation of the history of calypso. In 1988 Rudder released what is widely considered his best album to date, Haiti, which included the title track, a tribute to the glory and suffering of Haiti;[7] "Engine Room", which captured the energy of the steel band; and "Rally 'Round the West Indies",[8] which (with modified lyrics) became the anthem of West Indies cricket.[9]

In 1991, four tracks performed by Rudder were included in the soundtrack of the film Wild Orchid: "Dark Secret" (two versions), "Children Of Fire (Call Of Xango)", and "Just a Carnival", which includes Rudder in the final scene in the movie "performing" on the beach. In 1996, he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).[10]

In 2008, Rudder did a soca collaboration with fellow Trinidadian Machel Montano, "Oil and Music" on Machel's 2007 album Flame On. In 2011, Rudder performed a soca collaboration called "Glow" with Barbados' "Queen of Soca" Alison Hinds.[11] On 28 April 2022, Rudder's Trini 2 De Bone appeared in the FX comedy Atlanta in the seventh epiosde of season 3 also entitled Trini 2 De Bone.[12][13] He has released more than 30 albums and has performed in venues across the Caribbean, Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

In April 2023, Rudder announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He would continue to write new material and give smaller concerts, but would cease exhausting performances after his 70th birthday.[14]

Awards and honours[edit]

Rudder was awarded, in 1992, with a Hummingbird Silver Medal by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. He was later appointed, in 1996, as a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).[15] On 2 May 2018, Rudder was also bestowed with the keys to the city of Port of Spain.[16]

On 25 October 2015, the University of the West Indies (UWI) awarded Rudder the honorary degree Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.), in recognition of his "outstanding" contributions to Caribbean culture.[17]

On 3 July 2022, Rudder was conferred with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC).[15][18]

Discography[edit]

Year Album
2015 Catharsis
2008 Trinidad Stories
2004 Eclectica
2003 Blessed
2002 Farewell to the flesh
2001 The Autobiography of the Now
2000 Zero
1999 International Chantuelle
1998 Beloved
1997 Wrapped in Plain Brown Paper
1996 Tales from a Strange Land
1994 Lyrics Man
1993 Ministry of Rhythm
1993 Gilded Collection: Volume 1
1992 Frenzy
1991 Rough & Ready
1990 Sketches
1989 The Power & The Glory (with Charlie's Roots)
1988 Haiti (with Charlie's Roots)

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Director Notes
1989 Wild Orchid Himself Zalman King Performed the songs "Dark Secret", "Children of Fire (Call of Xango)", and "Just a Carnival" used in the film.
2017 Brown Girl Begins Drummer Sharon Lewis

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Sugar Cane Arrows Bolt

References[edit]

  1. ^ Scaramuzzo, Gene. "Charlie's Roots - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b "David Rudder Biography Achievements & Awards". www.davidmichaelrudder.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  3. ^ Jacob, Debbie (1 January 1994). "David Rudder: The Breakthrough". Caribbean Beat Magazine. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b Craig Harris, "Artist Biography", AllMusic.
  5. ^ "EL (Ellie) - 2019 Pan Tunes - Steelband Panorama - David Rudder - Carnival 2019". When Steel Talks/PanOnTheNet. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  6. ^ Cuffy, David (7 January 2016). "Roots to share". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  7. ^ "‘Haiti’ sung by David Rudder", When Steel Talks, 2008.
  8. ^ David Rudder - Rally Round The West Indies on YouTube
  9. ^ Martin, Ali (9 June 2020). "The Spin | Calypso Kings: how David Rudder created the West Indies' anthem". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Rudder celebrates with 6.5". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Alison Hinds ft. David Rudder - Glow", via YouTube.
  12. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (29 April 2022). "'Atlanta' Asks the Question: Who, Exactly, Is Raising Your Children?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  13. ^ McDonald, Jordan Taliha (28 April 2022). "Atlanta Recap: Homegoing". Vulture. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  14. ^ Mondezie, Michael (22 April 2023). "Rudder's Final High Mas". Trinidad Express. Port of Spain: Caribbean Communications Network. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  15. ^ a b "DAVID RUDDER | Citation for the Award of the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC)". CARICOM. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  16. ^ Doughty, Melissa (2 May 2018). "Rudder gets keys to the city - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday". newsday.co.tt. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  17. ^ admin (29 October 2015). "University of the West indies honors David Rudder". CNW Network. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  18. ^ "David Rudder one of four to receive Order of CARICOM | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.

External links[edit]

See also[edit]

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