Rex Lawson

Rex Jim Lawson (1935 - 1971), known as Cardinal Rex, was a singer, trumpeter and bandleader from Kalabari, Nigeria. He was one of the best-known highlife musicians of the 1960s when the Cardinal and his band dominated Nigeria’s highlife scene.

Lawson played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajilo, and other Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and bands. His greatest success came as the leader of the Mayors Band (also called the Rivers Men in later years); their recorded hits include So ala teme, Yellow Sisi, Gowon Special, and Jolly Papa. His most popular hit is probably Love Adure, which is still a sure floor-filler in Nigeria to this day.

A highly emotional and deep musician, Lawson was known to weep and shed tears while singing his own songs on stage, notably the haunting So ala teme. The late Sir Maliki Showman, the famous Nigerian tenor saxophonist who played with Rex Lawson, Bobby Benson and Victor Uwaifo, remembers Lawson as always placing music over money. Lawson is famed for his infectious gregariousness, his musical vision, talent, perseverance and individuality.

Lawson died in 1971 in a car accident on his way to play a show in Warri, Nigeria. He was 36 years old. After his death, his band continued as the Professional Seagulls.

His music is loved to this day in Nigeria. His songs are regularly performed and danced at live band shows in Nigeria, and a number of young musicians have resang some of his old hits, and his relevance continues to be felt.

Lawson was married to Chief (Mrs.) Regina Rex Lawson who died in October 2008.

References

• John Collins (1985). Musicmakers of West Africa. Three Continents Press. ISBN 0894100750. http://books.google.com/books?id=yIHfybGz5HoC. 

External links

• Rex Lawson, Listen to Rex Lawson's music Online
• Rex Lawson, Contemporary Africa Database - gives date of death as 1976
• Sonhala Olumnese (March 2003). "Remembering Rex Lawson". Niger Delta Congress. http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com//rarticles/remembering_rex_lawson.htm.