Bobby Holcomb facts for kids
Bobby Holcomb (1947–1991) was a talented artist and musician. He was well-known for writing popular Polynesian songs. He also used his paintings to share and celebrate Tahitian culture.
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Bobby Holcomb's Life
Bobby Holcomb was born in 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father was African-American from Georgia, and his mother was Hawaiian-Portuguese.
Early Travels and Move to Tahiti
In the early 1970s, Bobby traveled a lot. He visited many places in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. While in France, he performed with French pop groups.
In 1976, he moved to Tahiti. He settled on the island of Huahine and learned the Tahitian language. This helped him start writing songs in Polynesian. He mixed traditional Polynesian tunes with reggae and popular music styles. Soon, people knew him simply as "Bobby." Most of his songs were in Polynesian, but he also wrote some in French and English. His song "Orio," released in 1985, became very popular in Tahiti.
Art and Cultural Work
Besides music, Bobby was also a painter. He created many murals and other artworks. He used his art to promote Tahitian culture. He also spoke out against French rule and nuclear testing on the islands. Because of his efforts in education and culture, he was named French Polynesia's "Personality of the Year" in 1988.
Bobby Holcomb passed away from cancer on February 15, 1991. Local Tahitian television stations showed his death as a very important national event.
Music Collaborations
Bobby Holcomb worked with other musicians on his songs.
Working with Jimmy Buffett
One of Bobby's most famous songs in the United States is "One Particular Harbour." He co-wrote this song with American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett in 1983. The song is on Buffett's album of the same name. Jimmy Buffett often performs it live at his concerts.
Partnership with Pascal Nabet Meyer
In 1982, Bobby met Pascal Nabet Meyer, who had also moved to Tahiti. They worked together on writing songs. Pascal Nabet Meyer helped produce and record an album called Rapa Iti with The Tahitian Choir. This album brought traditional Polynesian music to a worldwide audience.
Bobby's Paintings
Bobby Holcomb was also a talented painter.
Featured Artworks
The book Varua Tupu (2006) includes several of Bobby Holcomb's paintings. One of his well-known paintings is "The Kites of Mata'Irea." It shows native Polynesians flying kites.
Bobby's Music Recordings
Bobby Holcomb never signed with a big music company.
Finding His Music
Most of his early music was released on cassettes. Any albums that were put on compact disc are now out of print, which means they are no longer made. Used copies are very rare to find. However, Tahitian television made some videos of Bobby performing his songs in the 1980s. You can sometimes find these videos on the internet, on sites like YouTube.
Honoring Bobby Holcomb
Bobby Holcomb is still remembered and honored.
Statue in His Memory
In 2021, a Polynesian artist named Evrard Chaussoy created a large bronze statue of Bobby. The statue is three and a half meters tall and was made with the help of his friend Heiarii Girard.
