Global - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, veteran North Stars Steel Orchestra player David Maunday shares an insider’s view of what and who made Trinidad & Tobago’s Pan Am North Stars Steel Orchestra so legendary, and a business bastion of musical professionalism. He talks about the band’s iconic leader Anthony Williams, and Maunday also delves into what led probably to the eventual demise of this formerly stalwart steelband music business organization.
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Very good interview and sharing of pan history based on personal experience. Good suggestions for making the instrument and its music into a commercially viable cultural product. The only teaser for discussion and useful suggestion that I could offer is that we have to re-examine the reference values (and by extension, prices) for pan, the panman and his music, and the business opportunities associated with a steelband presentation. They are all too low and that should be listed among the reasons why even today, when more managerial and other technical expertise are available, many bands get into trouble with commercial ventures and overseas tours, etc. in a way, many of us are still operating in the thousand dollars for first prize mode.
Using Mr Tony Williams' models of engagement and creativity, as presented by Mr. Maunday, I am sure the visionary leader and inventor would have dealt with those issues by now. Unfortunately, under pressure, Tony had to disengage.
Papa, I just got a much needed lesson on the history of steelband in T&T. Being from Belmont like yourself i recall that several guys from the immediate area (St, Barbs Hill) made the journey to the west re: North Stars and West Side. Thanks for the edification.
Kwame (Philmore) Cowie
More interviews with the members and associates of the then "Pan Am North Stars" and "BWIA Sun Jet" must be done to get the reality details to add to the history books.
Does anyone have photos or clips of the mentioned bands. You can contact me via email kennethclarke1@yahoo.com or phones 1868 768 6745 or 353 8160.
Thanks in advance
Kenneth Clarke
I have heard that Mr Maunday did miss a lot of Pan Am experiencies because he joined the band in 1967, but he was a very good tenor man and used to walk home sometimes to Belmont from St James after practice, that is DEDICATION.Players of today are not as dedicated as the old timers.
PaPa You have given us alot of information about legenary Pan Am North Stars which we are all greatful for. In the annuals of our pan lore North Stars will always be remembered. Thanks also to those who had the vision to record the audio exploits of the band's performances. Even by today standards, the tonal and unique quality of Pan Am sound stands out. We thank Almighty God for giving us Anthony Williams, who will always remain a legend in the pan world.
Greetings! A very profound response by Brother Maunday to the scenario that presently exists. Give thanks. Dr. Lance Seunarine
its good to here you share your taughts with the pan world after all you was my first pan hero growing in belmont on st barbs well done papa david
The late sixties early seventies was a time of cultural transition in Trinidad and this had an effect on the steel bands, as the young Trinidadian panists seized opportunities to tour and to migrate.
On one hand this resulted in spreading the steel band movement worldwide, the fruits of which we can see today.
On the other hand , some of the top bands were unable to survive in T&T, and the demise of bands such as Guinness Cavaliers, Tripoli, and Pan Am North Stars can be attributed to the pressures of international touring.
Even communities were affected by migration, and my hometown of Marabella was no exception.Once a thriving pan community, the steelband movement was severely set back when a whole generation of panmen migrated, primarily to the US Virgin Islands and to the States.
I also agree that steelbands should use their available funds to promote dances fetes and other events like other cultural promoters, and should also invest in pan related businesses like transportation,and taxis that are used to move equipment and personnel.
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