LEGENDARY Jamaican-born singer Dobby Dobson, born Highland Ralph Dobson, literally set the L & L Social Club in Linden afire with an electrifying, more than hour-long live performance in the wee hours of New Year’s Day. This doyen of balladeers, singer and producer nicknamed ‘The Loving Pauper’ after one of his best known songs, was making his first visit to Linden, even though he has been to Guyana on numerous occasions.
The occasion, an Old Year’s Night event dubbed `Night of Elegance’ hosted by ‘Barron’s Exclusive’ and ‘G. Spot Promotions’, was the perfect venue for old and young lovers.
Patrons, who had the club bursting at its seams, were in awe of Dobby’s smooth, crooning voice, still able to mesmerise his audience and have them begging for more. And the ladies were delirious with delight.
As Mr. Dobson electrified the ballroom with his captivating voice, delighting his ecstatic mixed audience with a musical review of his vintage tunes in the likes of That Wonderful Sound, Sweet Dreams, Muriel, Mexican Divorce, Sweeter than Honey, and Loving Pauper among others; together with some of his most recent releases, he was literally besieged by the couples, who took every opportunity to display their dancing prowess.
So electrifying was Dobson’s singing that patrons who could find no space on the stage danced in a musical frenzy just where they sat or stood, and sang along to the tunes they all love to hear.
The Lindeners went wild with excitement when Dobson declared how amazed he was that only Guyanese can waltz the way they do without bumping into each other; and also that the DJ, who hails from among them, is among the best he had met here so far.
Following his fantastic performance, patrons inundated the musical icon to seize photo opportunities.
At sometime after midday on New Year’s Day, Carson & Janis Mc Calman, proprietors of ‘The Perfect Wedding’ Bridal Shoppe on Republic Drive, hosted an impromptu party in Dobson’s honour at their Richmond Hill, Linden residence, upon a proposal by TV personality Jacquey Bourne.
The ‘do’ was ‘just what the doctor had ordered’, and Dobson was so impressed with the couple’s hospitality and ability to throw a sport in record time that the following day he told this reporter, “The occasion will forever be remembered, it was so memorable.”
Dobby began singing in the early 50s while he was attending Central Branch School in Kingston, Jamaica. He is also an avid songwriter. While at Kingston College, he composed his first song, “Cry A Little Cry”, and recorded same with his friends Howard Barrett, Fuzzy Byfield and Dennis Gayle, who were all students in the Delta Stream at Kingston College, hence the name “Dobby and the Deltas”. Dobby and Chuck Josephs (know as ‘Dobby and Chuck’) went on to record a series of hit songs in quick succession, namely: Sweeter than Honey, Du Du Wap, Cool School, I Love My Teacher, and Oh Fanny.
Dobson had his big break in 1971 when he recorded “That Wonderful Sound” for Rupie Edwards. The song sold over 40,000 copies in the Caribbean, and was followed up by “Endlessly”, which created waves in the UK.
In 1979, he migrated to the United States, and in August last year, the Jamaican Government conferred him with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD), for his contribution to reggae music and Jamaican culture.