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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLAWSON, Rex(b '30s, Kalabari, Nigeria; d '69) Singer/composer, trumpeter and bandleader. Born of a Kalabari father and an Igbo mother, he became one of the great bandleaders in the highlife style; he sang in all the major Nigerian languages, but "Sawale' (in Yoruban) captured the hearts of all Nigerians. Already playing trumpet at age 12, he began as a bandboy for Lord Eddyson, leader of the Starlight Melody Orchestra in Port Harcourt; Eddyson turned him over to Sammy Obot (later leader of the Ghanian highlife band the Uhurus); Lawson's talent flourished and he left the band in Lagos to continue his apprenticeship with stars of the era such as "Pa Bobby' Benson, Victor Olaiya, Roy Chicago and Chris Ajiko. During the golden era of highlife he formed his own band '60, initially the Nigeraphone Studio Orchestra of Onitsha, soon better known as the Mayors Dance Band; he adopted the title "Pastor'. A good compilation of early tracks was Dancing Time No. 3 on Philips/Fontana; the 11-piece band cranked out hit after hit: "Jolly Papa', "Oko', "Yellow Sisi', "Gowon Special'; many compiled on Cardinal Rex Lawson-- Greatest Hits and Rex Lawson's Victories (incl. "Sawale') on Nigerian Polygram. He died at the peak of his fame; the band carried on as the Professional Seagulls, but Lawson's music was still in demand: the Akpolla label (Lagos) issued LPs The Highlife King In London, Love M'Adure Special and Victories Vol 2 '80. |