Bobby Holcomb
Encyclopedia
Bobby Holcomb was an artist and musician who wrote popular Polynesian
tunes.
, the son of an African-American father from Georgia, and a Hawaiian-Portuguese mother.
In the early 1970s, he travelled extensively through Asia, Europe and the Americas. In France, he performed with French pop groups such as Zig Zag Community and Johane of Arch, and he collaborated with French artists Sylvain Duplant, Jean-Pierre Auffredo, and Éric Estève.
He moved to Tahiti
in 1976, and settled on the island of Huahine and learned the Tahitian language. He began composing songs in the Polynesian language, and combined traditional Polynesian melodies with reggae and popular rhythms. He became known to audiences simply as "Bobby". Most of his songs were written in Polynesian, but he also used French and English for some lyrics. His most popular song in Tahiti was "Orio", produced 1985.
In addition to music, he was also a painter and painted many murals and paintings.
He was passionate about Tahitian culture, and taught local children their cultural heritage. He campaigned against nuclear testing. For his educational efforts, he was named French Polynesia’s Personality of the Year in 1988.
He died from cancer on February 15, 1991. Local Tahitian television stations treated his death as a matter of great national importance.
is "One Particular Harbour
", which he co-wrote with American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett
in 1983. The song appears on Buffett's album of the same title
and is performed live at nearly all of his concerts.
One of Holcomb's most popular paintings is "The Kites of Mata’Irea" depicting native Polynesians flying kites.
.
Polynesian culture
Polynesian culture refers to the indigenous peoples' culture of Polynesia who share common traits in language, customs and society. Chronologically, the development of Polynesian culture can be divided into four different historical eras:...
tunes.
Biography
Bobby Holcomb was born in 1947 in Honolulu, HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, the son of an African-American father from Georgia, and a Hawaiian-Portuguese mother.
In the early 1970s, he travelled extensively through Asia, Europe and the Americas. In France, he performed with French pop groups such as Zig Zag Community and Johane of Arch, and he collaborated with French artists Sylvain Duplant, Jean-Pierre Auffredo, and Éric Estève.
He moved to Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
in 1976, and settled on the island of Huahine and learned the Tahitian language. He began composing songs in the Polynesian language, and combined traditional Polynesian melodies with reggae and popular rhythms. He became known to audiences simply as "Bobby". Most of his songs were written in Polynesian, but he also used French and English for some lyrics. His most popular song in Tahiti was "Orio", produced 1985.
In addition to music, he was also a painter and painted many murals and paintings.
He was passionate about Tahitian culture, and taught local children their cultural heritage. He campaigned against nuclear testing. For his educational efforts, he was named French Polynesia’s Personality of the Year in 1988.
He died from cancer on February 15, 1991. Local Tahitian television stations treated his death as a matter of great national importance.
Collaboration with Jimmy Buffett
One of Holcomb's most famous tunes in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is "One Particular Harbour
One Particular Harbour (song)
"One Particular Harbour" is a song performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was written by Jimmy Buffett and Hawaiian-born Tahitian musician Bobby Holcomb and released as a single on MCA 52298 in October 1983.It was first released on his 1983 album One Particular...
", which he co-wrote with American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
in 1983. The song appears on Buffett's album of the same title
One Particular Harbour
One Particular Harbour is the 13th studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released in September 1983 as MCA 5447 and was produced by Buffett and Michael Utley. It was Buffett's first involvement producing an album....
and is performed live at nearly all of his concerts.
Paintings
The book "Varua Tupu" (2006) contains several of Holcomb's paintings.One of Holcomb's most popular paintings is "The Kites of Mata’Irea" depicting native Polynesians flying kites.
Discography
Holcomb never signed with a major label, and his early music was mostly produced on cassettes. The albums that did make their way to compact disc are out of print, and used copies are very rare. Tahitian television made some videos of Holcomb performing his tunes in the 1980s, and some of those videos can be found on the internet, on sites such as YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.