Roy Talbot, the last surviving member of Bermuda's famed Talbot Brothers band, has died.

The 94-year-old, who with his talented family helped popularise calypso music in the wider world, was yesterday remembered as a skilled bass player, "a gentleman and a fine Bermudian" and an early promoter of the Island as a tourist destination.

The Talbots were hugely popular here, in the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1950s and 1960s. The group released four albums and were known for such songs as 'She Has Freckles On Her Butt', 'Bermuda Buggy Ride' and 'Yellow Bird'.

Mr. Talbot played the bass fiddle and actually created his own instrument, a double bass known officially as "the doghouse", and affectionately as "Bermudavarius" a nod to the Stradivarius violin.

The group's accomplishments were never forgotten. VSB radio and television station manager Mike Bishop recently produced a documentary.

Last month, the 94-year-old was presented with a lifetime achievement award and a book, CD and DVD collections compiled by Mr. Talbot's nephew Clement were released.

Mr. Talbot's health quickly deteriorated soon after, however.

"It's a real loss," said his nephew, who started the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Foundation, named eponymously after his father, another band member. "I spoke to (his wife of 22 years), my aunt Mary this morning.

"It was a shock. She knew his time was running to the end but wasn't anticipating it would end as abruptly as it did. Obviously it has an emotional impact but I think the family is holding up well although we're all saddened by the loss. "

Several tributes were paid to the legendary musician in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Said Environment and Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney: "The Talbot Brothers were a national treasure, known not just here on these 22 square miles, but around the world as they travelled bringing incredible joy to communities with their unique style of performing original and classic calypso songs.

"Roy Talbot was the bass player and actually invented an upright bass made of one string, he hit all the right notes."

Several MPs added their comments to his, among them former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith: "I was glad he was around to see the book his nephew published."

Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler described Mr. Talbot as a "gentleman and fine Bermudian".

However one of those who best knew him was his nephew, who spent three years trying to convince him to agree to the special project he had in mind.

Mr. Talbot said he persisted because he saw his relatives as being "the last of what you call the almost-forgotten".

Roy Talbot also enjoyed the production of a new book and DVD on the Talbot Brothers.

"He and his brothers made a significant contribution to Bermuda's hospitality industry. They broke down a number of barriers and were able to climb a number of barriers (which existed) because of their skin colour.