`Blackie' Talbot broke down barriers wherever he went. Blackie, who died last night at the age of 82, helped put Bermuda on the musical map in groundbreaking tours with the Talbot Brothers singing group.

And his golf charity raised thousands of dollars for needy youngsters.

Yesterday friends and family paid tribute.

Son Clement Talbot said: "My father always established very, very high standards -- everything he did he tried to do to perfection.

"He loved Bermuda and was instrumental in developing tourism when Bermuda was not a premier destination.

"He seemed to have unique talents. He was a singer and entertainer. "He took up golf late in his career about 12 or 13 years ago but scored under his age -- if he was 82 he could score under 82.

"He always tried to give to others, not just family members, but many in this community.

"He always tried to create an atmosphere where people got on together regardless of race, religion or culture.

"If you look at his golf tournament you will see every section of the community.

"That's what my father always preached. When my father had to say a few words he would always tell the younger generation to come together and enjoy each other's company the way it was 50 years ago.

"He was an avid fisherman and would go fishing at John Smith's Bay and bring me a fresh fillet he'd just caught - he'd give them to me and to many of his friends.'' As frontman for the Talbot Players Blackie built up a reputation in Tucker's Town in the 1930s which spread to America where they toured for three months every year for 25 years wowing audiences with calypso tunes with a cheeky edge.

Mr. Talbot said: "He would see someone sitting with their fiancee and would improvise a verse of the song just for them. "One of the highlights was playing at the London Palladium on the same bill as Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. "Lauren Bacall, who was a big film star, froze so my father brought the Talbot singers back on stage in front of thousands of people to fill in.

"He believed everyone is human, and everyone has challenges and it reflects back to that action - even some of the Talbot players were frightened to go back on.'' Yesterday a number of MPs in the House of Assembly paid tribute to Blackie and said he would be sorely missed by many people in Bermuda.

Opposition MP Jim Woolridge offered his sympathies to the family and remembered Blackie as not only a great musician, but also a "good cricketer'' and "ardent golfer''.

He said: "He put Bermuda on the map where tourism was concerned.

"He went through the US performing and promoted Bermuda. And people came to the Island specifically looking for the Talbot Brothers.'' And Mr. Woolridge also paid tribute to Blackie's cricketing and golfing skills.

A service for Ross `Blackie' Talbot will be held on Tuesday.

Blackie Talbot