Career
He was a leading Zydeco musician and accordion player who enjoyed popular success first in Europe and later in the United States. Dopsie began performing professionally in the late 1940s in Lafayette, Louisiana. His first language was Louisiana Creole French.
His debut album was issued by Sonet Records of Sweden and he recorded five albums for the label over the next few years.
He toured Europe frequently, starting in 1979. Dopsie later recorded with Bob Dylan and in 1992 appeared in the film Delta Heat.
Since Dopsie"s death from heart failure in 1993, his band, The Twisters, continues to perform. Dopsie"s younger son Dwayne also plays accordion and leads his own band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers.
Dopsie was related to professional tennis championship player Chanda Rubin.
"I"m the only man in the world that plays the accordion upside-down," Rockin" Dopsie said. "lieutenant"s all because daddy didn"t taught me how to play. I just picked it up.".
