Rex Jim Lawson (1935 - 1971), known as Cardinal Rex , was a singer, trumpeter and bandleader from Kalabari, Nigeria . He became one of the best-known highlife musicians of the 1960s in Africa when Cardinal and his band dominated Nigeria’s highlife scene.
Lawson died in 1971 in a car accident on his.way to play a show in Warri, Nigeria . He was 36 years old. After his death, his band continued as the Professional Seagulls.
Lawson was married to Chief (Mrs.) Regina Rex Lawson who died in October 2008.
