64 years ago:
Remembering in November. The 1st steelband to play at The White House in December 1957
Remember, we are remembering again in 2021 what someone remembered to write down in 1990-91, about something remembered in a newspaper in 1957; AND visiting a good quote from 2012, preceded by a confusing quote from 2018; all of which seem to stem from the same newspaper articles.
It's a piecing-it-all-together puzzle. We know the name of the steelband, Admiral Gallery's US Tenth Naval District Oil Drum Band, but a bit fussy and lost in the distance of time, is the more precise query; when did his Pandemoniacs play at the White House?
So why November? Well, the story revolves around a date first cited from an article published by the Trinidad Guardian on November 20th, 1957, pg 3. Now citing an article is one thing, and what was actually said in the article, if quoted, is another thing; and very important too. But what can catch you out, when the answer is staring you straight in your face, is when the author quotes two articles in reverse order of date, to make his particular point; and you get his point but miss the important date!
So here is how George Goddard gave us that date on a silver platter, and how we all missed it; quoting from his Forty Years in the Steelbands: 1939 - 1979 by George Goddard (1991): Growing up: the 1950’s; pg 90.
The Steelbands unusual US Ambassador, Pandemoniacs of 1957
But here are also two further quotes, that help the penny drop.
First, from a superb article out of which arise some relevant pictures (see below), but giving a confusing quote; the sort of chasing agouti but catching a crab type:
The Tenth Naval District Steelband (of the United States Navy) was, in addition to making a name for itself in the USA, also making top news in Trinidad and Tobago. One month before the poorly attended steelband preliminary at the Astor Cinema, according to the Trinidad Guardian, the US Navy Steelband was playing at the White House:
Steelband to make White House Debut: A Steelband, Trinidad's contribution to the music world will make its first appearance at the White House Washington, next month, when Admiral Gallery's Steelband of Marines stationed at the U.S. Naval Base, Puerto Rico, tour the U.S. next month.
For the steelbands; Pandemoniacs probably publicised the arrival of the genre in the USA, as much as their Trinidadian counterparts TASPO, had previously done in Europe in 1951.
Source: Angelo Bissessarsingh's Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago FaceBook site;
Posted by Patricia Bissessar - 9 May 2019; an article written by Darrell Lou-Hing 5 April 2018;
CHAGUARAMAS NAVAL BASE The Destroyer Base (Search for words 'White House')
https://www.facebook.com/ps3tt/posts/wonderful-read/4990682697623432/
To a simple restatement of the facts:
While Pan Fever was erupting in Trinidad in the 1950s, a steelband was also making waves on U.S. shores. The navy band that Ellie Mannette helped establish made its White House debut in December 1957. The White House performance also made headlines in Trinidad and Tobago newspapers. Even harsh critics of steelbands and pan players were forced to admit that a steelband performing at the White House was evidence that Trinidad had made a significant contribution to the music world.
Source: SteelDrums and Steelbands - A History By Angele Smith (2012)
https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Drums-Steelbands-Angela-Smith/dp/0810883422
But Goddard nailed it with his line:
So while we had poor attendance at our concerts [Wednesday, 18th December 1957], here was the Tenth Naval District Steelband playing at the White House.
Be Safe :-)
The US Air Station base at Chaguaramas, Trinidad, TT
(Seaplanes of the day)
Photo courtesy Darrell Lou-Hing; posted FB 5 April 2018
Pandemoniacs with Limbo
(Probably taken in Puerto Rico)
Photo courtesy Darrell Lou-Hing; posted FB 5 April 2018
A fantastic woven badge
Photo courtesy Darrell Lou-Hing; posted FB 5 April 2018
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“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”. Oscar Wilde.