Sir Charles Emile Straker, co-founder of The Merrymen, dies at 90

The Friends of Democracy (FOD) has paid tribute to Sir Charles Emile Straker, describing his death as the loss of a towering figure who carried Barbadian music to the world… The post Merrymen co-founder hailed as cultural pioneer after death appeared first on Barbados Today.

Barbadian music legend Sir Emile Straker, co-founder of The Merrymen, has died at 90. PM Mottley calls it a 'national loss.' Read his full story.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Friday led tributes to Sir Charles Emile Straker, the legendary Barbadian entertainer and lead vocalist of The Merrymen, who died earlier in the day at the age of 90. The cause of death has not been disclosed. “Early this morning, Barbados awoke to the deeply sad news that Sir Charles Emile Straker, one of our greatest cultural sons and the golden voice of The Merrymen, has gone home,” Mottley wrote, adding “for generations, Sir Emile gave us more than melodies. He gave Barbados a feeling”. She said through songs such as Beautiful Barbados, Nut Seller, Big Bamboo, Sam Lord, You Sweeten Me and so many others, he captured Bajan life and Barbadiana with humour, warmth, pride and an unmistakable joy that brought people together — locals, visitors and Barbadians wherever they were in the world. “He helped make Barbados matter far beyond our shores. Before hashtags, campaigns and global platforms, Sir Emile and The Merrymen were taking our island to the world on hotel stages, in concert halls, on records carried home by tourists, and in the hearts of people who returned to Barbados because his music made them feel they already belonged.” Sir Charles, who was knighted in 2019, published his autobiography in 2023, titled My Island and Me and Mottley said his recognition as Knight of St Andrew “was a proud and fitting national embrace of a man whose gift had long been one of Barbados’ greatest honours”. “Today, as we mourn with his children Dean, Ray and Stacey-Jane, his grandchildren, relatives, friends, bandmates, and all who loved him, we give thanks for a life that sweetened Barbados and made the world sing along.” Sir Emile’s death follows that of Robin Hunte, the tenor guitarist, who died from cancer, on August 24, 2015 and Chris Gibbs, the bass guitarist and one of four original members, who in 2003 became the first person from a Caribbean country to swim the English Channel. He died from cancer at 80 on June 17, 2025. The other members of the group, Stephen Fields, guitarist, has dementia, while Willie Kerr, guitarist, and Peter Roett, drummer, periodically perform with other local acts in Barbados.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has described the death of Sir Charles Emile Straker as a “national loss”, paying tribute to the legendary musician whose voice and songwriting helped define… The post PM hails Sir Emile Straker as a ‘national loss’ appeared first on Barbados Today.

Barbados lost one of its most celebrated cultural figures this morning with the passing of Sir Charles Emile Straker, the co-founder, lead singer and guitarist of The Merrymen. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley paid tribute to Sir Emile, describing his death as a national loss and praising his contribution to Barbados’ culture, music and tourism […] The post Barbadian music icon Sir Charles Emile Straker passes away appeared first on nationnews.com.