Alton Jay Rubin (February 10, 1932 – August 26, 1993), who performed as Rockin' Dopsie (sometimes Rockin' Dupsee), was an American zydeco singer and

accordion Accordions (from 19th-century German ''Akkordeon'', from ''Akkord''—"musical chord, concord of sounds") are a family of box-shaped musical instruments of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone type (producing sound as air flows past a reed ...

player who enjoyed popular success first in Europe and later in the United States.

Biography

He was born in Carencro, Louisiana, United States, the son of Walter Rubin, who played accordion at local dances. Alton Rubin's first language was Louisiana Creole French. He was given his first accordion at the age of 14, and, being left-handed, learned to play it upside down. He began performing at local parties, and soon outstripped his father's abilities. He moved with his parents to

Lafayette, Louisiana Lafayette (, ) is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and the most populous city and parish seat of Lafayette Parish, located along the Vermilion River. It is Louisiana's fourth largest incorporated municipality by population and the 234th- ...

at the age of 19, and began playing in clubs in the mid-1950s with his cousin Chester Zeno on washboard. He took his stage name from a visiting dancer called Doopsie (and pronouncing his own name the same way). At the same time, he continued with his day job, eventually becoming an electrical contractor. Dopsie played music for dancing, assimilating R&B influences into zydeco and sometimes covering R&B hits in a zydeco style. He performed around Louisiana, and recorded occasionally for small independent labels in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1976 he appeared at the

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (commonly called Jazz Fest or Jazzfest) is an annual celebration of local music and culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jazz Fest attracts thousands of visitors to New ...

, and was signed by the Swedish record label Sonet, who issued his first album, ''Doin' The Zydeco'', in 1976. Starting in 1979, he toured Europe regularly with his group, the Twisters, and his popularity there led to him recording a string of albums for Sonet in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "Rockin' Dopsie"
''Donald Clarke Music''. Retrieved 26 November 2016 In the 1980s, he started to gain attention in the US. He played accordion on the zydeco-influenced song "That Was Your Mother" on

Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor whose career has spanned six decades. He is one of the most acclaimed songwriters in popular music, both as a solo artist and as half of folk roc ...

's '' Graceland'' album in 1986. He recorded the album ''Crowned Prince Of Zydeco'' in 1987. His final album in 1991, ''

Louisiana Music ''Louisiana Music'' is a website presenting classical music videos produced by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Content The Great Romantics (2007 to 2009) * Brahms - Trio with clarinet interpreted by Paul Meyer, Jing Zhao and Éric Le S ...

'', received a Grammy Award nomination. "Rockin' Dopsie, 61, A Master of Zydeco With His Own Style"
'' The New York Times'', August 27, 1993. Retrieved 26 November 2016 Dopsie also recorded with Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper, and in 1992 appeared in the film ''

Delta Heat ''Delta Heat'' is a 1992 film directed by Michael Fischa and written by Sam A. Scribner. The buddy police film was shot in New Orleans, Louisiana. The screenplay was originally written by Bruce Akiyama to be a television pilot, commissioned by Saw ...

''. He died from a heart attack in 1993, aged 61, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Lafayette.

Legacy

Since his death, his band, The Twisters, has continued to perform. Now led by his son Dopsie Jr. ( accordionist, vocalist and washboard player), with sons Alton Jr. ("Tiger") on drums, and Anthony Rubin on accordion, the band is called Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters. Dopsie's younger son Dwayne also plays accordion and leads his own band,

Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers Dwayne Rubin, better known by his stage name Dwayne Dopsie, is an American Zydeco musician. He is the accordionist and vocalist for his New Orleans-based band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. Biography Dwayne Dopsie is the youngest o ...

. Dopsie was related to professional tennis championship player Chanda Rubin.

Quotation

''"I'm the only man in the world that plays the accordion upside-down,"'' Rockin' Dopsie said. ''"It's all because daddy didn't taught me how to play. I just picked it up."''

Discography

Studio and live albums

Singles and EPs

Various artist compilation albums

Guest appearance credits

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dopsie, Rockin 1932 births 1993 deaths People from Carencro, Louisiana Zydeco accordionists American accordionists Musicians from Louisiana 20th-century American musicians Rounder Records artists Atlantic Records artists GNP Records artists 20th-century accordionists Sonet Records artists Maison de Soul Records artists African-American Catholics