The Merrymen
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Biography
The Merrymen are a Barbadian calypso band formed in 1962 by Emileâ¯Straker (lead vocalist), Robinâ¯Hunte (tenor guitarist), Chrisâ¯Gibbs (bass guitarist), and Peterâ¯Roett (drums), who debuted at the Drift Wood Cellar Bar and released their first album Caribbean Treasure Chest the same year. Their early work, including The More the Merrier and Caribeat, established an upbeat, Latinâinfused calypso style that later yielded hits such as "Island in the Sun" and "Hot Hot Hot". The group enjoyed sustained popularity throughout the Caribbean and reached Number 1 on several European charts, performed for British royalty, Ronald and Nancy Reagan during their 1982 visit, and staged recordâsetting shows at the Ontario Place Forum and the 1979 Super Bowl HalfâTime Show in Miami. Notable releases followed with Liveâ¦Very Much Alive!, Tropical Wave (1985), Hot Hot Soca (1988), and Islands (2002); the 2011 concert Live! Ontario Place captured their enduring appeal. Emileâ¯Straker was knighted in 2019, authored My Island and Me in 2023, and died in Juneâ¯2026, while Chrisâ¯Gibbs passed in Juneâ¯2025 and Robinâ¯Hunte died of cancer in Augustâ¯2015.
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