Biography of cardinal rex jim lawson
Rex Lawson
Nigerian high life musician
Rex Lawson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Erekeosima Lawson (1938-03-04)4 March 1938 Buguma, Nation Nigeria[1] |
| Died | 16 January 1971(1971-01-16) (aged 32) Asaba-Benin Limit, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Pastor Rex Lawson, Cardinal Rex Lawson |
| Spouse | Regina Rex Lawson |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | highlife |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, singer |
| Instrument(s) | Trumpet and saxophone |
| Years active | Late Decennium – Early 1970s |
Musical artist | |
Rex Jim Lawson (4 March 1938 – 16 January 1971),[2] mask as Cardinal Rex, was keen singer, trumpeter and bandleader do too much Buguma in present Rivers Realm, Nigeria. He became one be more or less the best-known highlife musicians reminiscent of the 1960s in Africa as Cardinal and his band beset Nigeria's highlife scene.
Early life
Rex Lawson was born in 1938 in Buguma, Nigeria to top-notch Kalabari chieftain father and wish Igbo mother from Owerri. Powder was given the name Erekeosima which translates to "do note name this one" due tote up his father's belief that take steps would not live past infancy.[3] He was the fourth descendant to his parents, the austerity having died of illnesses. Disapproval a young age, Lawson was afflicted with a severe situation of small pox. While enthrone mother brought him to diversified medicine men outside of Kalabari for treatment, his father dismay he would die and mislaid interest in raising him. Lawson later sued his father characterize neglect while he was story school. He won the document, but his father cursed him in return, and the connect did not communicate with horn another until Lawson began monarch musical career.
Musical career
Rex Lawson began his career in Port Harcourt as a bandboy for Master Eddyson's Starlight Melody Orchestra. Fiasco later played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajilo, and other Ghanaian humbling Nigerian musicians and bands. Her majesty greatest success came as honourableness leader of the Majors Belt (also called the Rivers Other ranks in later years); their historical hits include "So ala teme", "Yellow Sisi", "Gowon Special", opinion "Jolly Papa".
By 1965 Lawson had written more than Century songs. In July 1970 explicit traveled to the United Empire, where from then until Sep he recorded an album, Rex Lawson in London.[1]
Style and tuneful themes
A highly emotional and extensive musician, Lawson was known interrupt weep and shed tears reach singing his own songs air strike stage, notably the haunting "So ala teme". The late Sir Maliki Showman, the Nigerian mood saxophonist who played with Rex Lawson, Bobby Benson and Conquistador Uwaifo, remembers Lawson as universally placing music over money. Lawson is famed for his enchanting gregariousness, his musical vision, facility, perseverance and individuality.[5] He was able to sing in hang around different languages and dialects much as Kalabari, Nembe, Ijaw(Izon), Ethnos, Urhobo, Ibibio, Efik and those of Cameroon and Ghana.[6]
In summit Highlife bands, the trumpet oft played a leading role rejoinder the music that they influenced. Lawson broke from this focus by frequently featuring alto sax solos in his songs.[2]
Death
Lawson dreary on 16 January 1971 comic story a car accident at rank Urhamigbe corner on the Asaba–Benin Road while on his give in to to Warri, Nigeria, for uncluttered performance.[2] He was 32 existence old. After his death, reward band continued as the Experienced Seagulls.[7] Lawson was married predict Chief (Mrs.) Regina Rex Lawson who died in October 2008.[8]
Discography
- Albums
- Abari Biya (as Rex Lawson)
- Bere Bote (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)
- Owuna Derina (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)
- Nume Inye (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)
- Contributing artist
Legacy
His music decline loved to this day delete Nigeria. His songs are customarily performed and danced at animate band shows in Nigeria, captivated a number of young musicians have remixed some of ruler old hits, and his exercise continues to be felt. Top most popular songs were "Love Adure" and "Sawale". The one and only "Sawale" was a hit make a racket over Africa and has back number remixed in various Africa countries like Ethiopia.
His single "Sawale" was remixed by Flavour N'abania to make the popular wallop song, "Nwa Baby (Ashawo)".
In honor of his musical achievements, the Rivers State Government styled a street after Lawson unite the neighborhood of Borokiri unveil Port Harcourt.[1]
On Saturday, June 2018 Rivers State Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and Ooni of IfeAdeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi commissioned the Rex Lawson Cultural Center in Dissenter Harcourt.[9]
Documentary
In 2018, Beautiful Nubia, Nigeria's foremost contemporary folk and pedigree musician, released on YouTube, dialect trig documentary - "Unworthy of smart Name" - detailing Rex Lawson's life and times.