Rockin’ Dopsie (a.k.a. Rockin’ Dupsee) (February 10, 1932 – August 26, 1993) was born Alton Rubin in Carencro, Louisiana. He was a leading Zydeco musician and button accordion player who enjoyed popular success first in Europe and later in the United States. If Clifton Chenier was the king of zydeco music, Rockin’ Dopsie (sometimes pronounced doopsie), with his unequalled proficiency on the button accordion, was its crown prince. Dopsie, who began performing professionally in the late 1940s, took his stage name from a Chicago dancer who had come to perform in Lafayette, Louisiana. Dopsie recorded his debut album with Sam Charters for Sweden’s Sonet label. Over the next decade, Dopsie recorded five more albums for the label. Released in Europe, Dopsie soon became a popular performer. He began touring Europe twice annually in 1979. It was not until well into the 1980s that Dopsie’s music began garnering attention back home. His U.S. career got a big boost in 1985 when he recorded “That Was Your Mother” with Paul Simon on the latter’s Graceland album. Later, Dopsie would also record with other pop singers including Cyndi Lauper and Bob Dylan.

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