Richard ‘Dick’ Stoute, legendary music icon, passes away at age 77

Bridgetown, Barbados: Richard ‘Dick’ Stoute, Godfather of Barbadian entertainment, passed away at the age of 77 on Sunday at his home after a lengthy illness.

The ‘Godfather’ of local entertainment was the creator and director of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition, a staple of the music industry for 36 years.

Notably, Stoute was a founding member of the singing group “The Opels” and also recorded many local single hits. The music icon was famous for hits such as,

– Pretty Blue Eyes

– Goodbye Now, My Bajan Girl

– Pity The Fool

– Best Part of My Day

– Rock-Steady Christmas

He is also known for producing the popular incubator show for budding talents, which has encouraged the likes of Edwin Yearwood, Alison Hinds, Adrian Clarke and more.

A few hours before his passing, Barbados Prime Minister- Mia Amor Mottley announced that the amphitheatre at the National Botanical Gardens would be named in honour of his legacy.

It is to be noted that the Legendary Barbadian entertainer was nationally honoured with the Barbados Service starting in 1993 and the Gold Crown of Merit in 2008.

It is to be added in PM Mottley’s remarks that on this occasion, the government has moved one step further to attach his name to a facility for the display of local talent in the forthcoming years.

“The Government of Barbados has conferred on Richard the Barbados Service Star in 1993 and the Gold Crown of Merit in 2008. On this occasion, we go one step further and will affix his name to a facility we are certain will become the premier place for the display of local talent in the years ahead”, PM Mottley said in a statement on Saturday, November 25.

Achievements of Richard Stoute

Stoute has received various awards which had boosted his career for more than four decades, including,

– The Barbados Board of Tourism Award for Top Local Show Producer

– The Boston Award for Promotion of Barbadian Culture

– The Carl Winston Award for Production of Teen Talent

Additionally, he was recognised as the Top Entertainer in the hotel industry by the Barbados Board of Tourism.