Legendary Bahamian Entertainer, Sir Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Butler, M.B.E, has passed away at the age of 80. He was born on August 17th, 1937, and died on Sunday morning, November 19th, 2017.
His career as an entertainer and singer traversed more than 50 years, with one of his latest performances taking place in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, at the 2017 Bay Festival during the August Monday holiday weekend, where he continued to enthrall his fans.
The following statement was recently issued by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Philip Davis:
“Our nation’s national musical treasure Ronnie Butler has passed into eternity. Now he belongs to the ages. He can sing his sweet music in heaven as he travels Burma Road on the way to the Pearly Gates.
Ronnie Butler helped us to build our sense of national identity. Almost fifty years ago, just as we ushered in majority rule he reminded us from whence we came.
He told us that he remembered when we used to go to high mass on Sunday with high top tennis with no socks on. That was Ronnie Butler.
It seems that his voice has always been with us. He leaves a great legacy. I am sure all of the nation feels this loss.
On behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, my wife Ann-Marie and on my own behalf, I extend condolences to his family on the loss of this national icon.”
Hon. Philip Brave Davis MP QC
Leader of the Opposition
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FNM Chairman Carl Culmer’s Statement on the passing of a Bahamian Icon Ronnie Butler”
Our country mourns the passing of legendary musical genius and entertainer, Ronnie Butler, who died this morning.
Ronnie was lauded for his many musical contributions to The Bahamas which catapulted him to superstar status globally. An extraordinary human being, mentor and friend to many young musicians locally and throughout the Caribbean. His most famous folkstyle and rake n scrape music, “Burma Road”,”Pretty Brown Eyes”, and “Married Man” became the standard for writing and producing music that told a story about our heritage, our culture and our lifestyle.
We honoured him during his life and we will honour him even at his death, for making such remarkable contributions to the Bahamas through his music, which often addressed his political ideology and values on the struggle of our people as we fought for inclusion in matters affecting our country before independence.
In the words of George Elliot, “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them”. Ronnie Butler will never be forgotten, as he will live on through his music for generations to come.
