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Hours after Government announced that the godfather of Barbadian entertainment Richard Dick Stoute would receive the honour of having the amphitheatre at the National Botanical Gardens named in his honour, he died at the age of 77.
Stoute was unable to attend this year’s edition of the talent contest he founded while fellow performers, proteges, friends and fans kept vigil over the beloved veteran entertainment giant.
The musical icon, who came from a talented family singers, including Norma Stoute, known as one of Barbados’ best female vocalists and his older brother Mike Wilkinson, was a leading singer in the 60s and 70s, who entertained thousands at home, on the hotel circuit and across the Caribbean, the United States, London and Canada.
Stoute, with over 50 singles and five albums was renowned for hits Goodbye, my Bajan Girl, To Love Somebody, Any Day Now, The Best Part of My Day, You Turn Me On to Love, Vehicle and What’s The Use Pretty Blue Eyes.
Stoute, a founding member of the Opels, etched his name in Barbados’ musical history with the creation of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition, the foundation for the island’s most leading voices, including Edwin Yearwood, Tamara Marshall, Kareen Clarke, Rupert Clarke, Adrian Clarke, Terencia Coward, Blood, Donella Weeks, Jamal Slocombe and others.
In tribute, Slocombe said: “Stoute’s legacy echoes not solely in his unmatched musical contributions but also in the enduring warmth of our friendship.
“His performance embodied unparalleled artistry and unwavering dedication to Barbados’ musical landscape – from the popular records the soulful rendition of Goodbye Now My Bajan Girl to the electrifying delivery of Vehicle.”
As Government announced the planned renaming of the amphitheatre Saturday evening, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said: “If the debt owed to him by those who have followed him into the entertainment industry over the past half-century is anything to go by, then there is no other entertainer to whom the country owes more than Richard Dick Stoute.
“His unmatched contribution to the entertainment life of Barbados — particularly since Independence — requires that his name, his legacy, and his never-daunted approach, ought to be immortalised in a place where every Barbadian will forever see displayed the qualities inherent in the label ‘Bajan’.
For an outstanding career, Stoute received several awards and honours including the Jackie Opel Award, Clement Payne Award, Barbados Silver Star and in 2009, the Gold Crown of Merit from the Government.
