Pan and the 1960's - WST Timeline - Forum


1960	Hells Gate wins Antigua Panorama Bertie Marshall & Anthony Williams together: Introduced harmonic tuning Extended range of orchestra Placed bass pans on wheels. Anthony Williams placed the entire band on wheels. The 1960 Guyana Festival, October, 1960 organized by the Jaycees marked the first attempt, to bring Steelband Mas' to a carnival-like celebration. This was the dream of Charlie Hubbard, GM of the Mariner's club, and all those unheralded heroes, who promoted steel band and mas' in the fifties. Every mother's son turned out for the weekend festival at the BGCC grounds, Annexe. Vivian Lee's Vaudeville Variety Show with dancers in colourful exotic costumes popped out of a huge birthday cake to mark the occasion. The Pantomime presentation of the Royal Bank of Canada's Grimm's Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes won Costume Band of the year, with Pemya's Marabuntas King Richard runner up. The results, unacceptable to the pan beaters, resulted in minor unrest the same night, and thereafter, all decisions in this fiercely competitive event would be issued two days later in the press, as is done in Trinidad. Frank Rollock starts Brixton Carnival – UK 1960
1961	Present Grand Stand established in Savannah -- Trinidad Dixieland Steelband established - UK 1961
1962	Steelbands Association renamed National Association of T&T Steelbandmen (NATTS) St. Vincent & the Grenadines holds its first Panorama competition - Police Steel Orchestra wins - see more
1963	Carnival Development Committee (CDC) changes name of competition First prize raised from TT $350 to TT $1,000 * Trinidad & Tobago’s first ever “Steelband’s Panorama” held at Queen’s Park Savannah, February 22 North Stars win this first Trinidad & Tobago Panorama with the tune Dan is The Man. The arranger is Anthony Williams. Participants include: North Stars, Sundowners, Desperadoes, Modern Sunland, Invaders, City Symphony, Casablanca, Starlift, San Juan All Stars, City Syncopators, Crossfire, Dixie Harps, Merrytones, Metronomes, Merry Stars, Nocturne, Prodigal Philharmonics, Renegades, Sputniks, Steel Stylers, Tropical Harmony, Wonderland (Port of Spain), Wonderland (Chaguanas) Calypsonians try to gain advantage in Carnival Road March competition, accused of giving scores to steelbands April 11 Government Aid for establishment of National Steelband Ellie Mannette chosen as tuner Grant not to exceed $1,500 for tuning Steelband Association establishes National Steelband and organize a steelband Festival; Crossfire wins Festival August Wolfgang Krause of Germany films Ellie Mannette tuning, slips out of country on yacht, violates agreement with Steelband Association & Trinidad & Tobago government Moral Re-Armament (MRA) organization invites National Steelband to USA Police Steel Orchestra wins St. Vincent & the Grenadines Panorama for 2nd consecutive time - see more The formation of the first National Steel Band in Guyana in 1963. This band performed at various functions for the workers of Guyana, and (its services were) paid (for) by the state. Harmonites Steel Orchestra formed in Trinidad. The band Solo Harmonites has its genesis in 1963 when a group of teenagers from Egypt village, Second Caledonia, Barataria, Trinidad came together to form a steel band, which was originally known as Wonderland. Under the leadership of one Mr. Justin "Baba" Fredericks, the band endured a name change to “Harmonites” when it was discovered that there was another steel band by the name of Wonderland. Mr. Fredericks migrated shortly afterwards and the mantle of leadership fell to Mr. Winston “Skull” Fleming, captain and Mr. Vincent “Hueloy” Lila Yip Young as Manager. click for more
1964	Hells Gate wins Antigua Panorama Police Steel Orchestra wins St. Vincent & the Grenadines Panorama for 3rd consecutive time North Stars win Trinidad & Tobago Panorama with the tune Mama Dis is Mas North Stars expelled from Association by general membership Rudolph Charles elected leader of Desperadoes, and later he will introduce: chromed pans nine bass quadraphonic pan triple tenor rocket bass aluminum canopies Players chosen for National Steelband performance in USA: Emmanuel Riley (Invaders), Errol Zephrine (Starlift), David Samuel (Prodigals), Rudolph Johnson (Fascinators), Norbert Augustine (Wonderland Symphony), Lennox Glean (Wonderland), Kelvin Hart (City Syncopators), Herman Collins (Sun Valley), Osmond Charles (Savoys), Hugh Borde (Tripoli), Steve Regis (Sun Downers), Morrison Romeo (Starlift - Tobago), Lennox "Bobby" Mohammed (Cavaliers), Glenford Sobers (Crosswinds), Herbert Benjamin (Casbah - Tobago), Elton John (City Symphony), Kenneth Bennett (San Juan All Stars), Clifford Alexis (Stereophonics), Vincent Hernandez (Satisfiers), Desmond Hernandez (Melodiscs), Randolph St Louis (Renegades), Edgar Pouchet (Silver Stars) National Steelband performs in Michigan, West Virginia, Santa Fe, New Mexico - USA Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band returns from 1964 tour ----- listen to an exclusive interview about the 1964 tour with Clifford Alexsis The Silvertones Steel Orchestra was selected to play for Queen Elizabeth II, who was visiting Guyana The first Carnival steel band competition ever was organized in 1964. Eight steel bands competed in a legendary competition. The Merrymakers, the Devils, the Curacao Heroes, the Long Gun Boys, the Paradera Steelband, The Silver Stars, The Allstars, and the Aruba Invaders were all talented groups which produced the most amazing sounds. Finally the Aruba Invaders won with their variant of the theme from exodus, making them the first Aruban steel band competition winne Sterling Betancourt formed Nostalgia – ‘Pan-round-the-neck’ in the United Kingdom Russell Henderson Steelband first to play at the now Notting Hill Carnival April 1964
1965	Cavaliers win Panorama with the tune Melody Mas - Bobby Mohammed (arranger) Easter Sunday - Desperadoes become the first steelband to play in church Musicians (20 pan players) chosen for National Steelband to participate in the Commonwealth Arts Festival in the UK. Players: Roderick Toussaint (City Kids); Gordon Barrow (Scherzando); Steve Regis (West Stars); Hugh Borde (Tripoli); Glenford Sobers (Cross Winds); Cabot Paul (Trinidad Symphony); Dean Kirton (Kintups); Pedro Pereira (Blue Diamonds); Edward Towine (Desperadoes); Clunis Clarke (Casbah); Lennox Mohammed (Cavaliers); Herman Johnson (Sunjets); David Edwards (Gale Stars); Herman Collins (Sun Valley); Rudolph St. Louis (Renegades); Sylvester Garcia (Tropical Harmony); Emmanuel Riley (Invaders); Betram Kellman (Southern Marines); Morrison Romeo (Starlift - Tobago); and David La Barrie (Starlets) National Steelband players participate in the Commonwealth Arts Festival (September 10–October 14) The Daily Mirror in the UK proclaims: “The steel orchestra was the greatest thing that ever happened to music in recent years. This was the view of the music experts in England!” ** ESSO Engro Steel Orchestra wins St. Vincent Panorama
1966	Desperadoes win Panorama with the tune Obeah Wedding Beverly Griffith (arranger) - 50,000 in attendance Desperadoes go to Africa (Senegal ESSO Engro Steel Orchestra wins St. Vincent Panorama
1967	Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband performs at Expo '67 in Montreal, Canada ("A troupe of dancers and the 22 members of the’ National Steelband left for Expo ‘67 on August 11, I was manager of the band. The 22 panmen were: - [ pictured bottom row left to right] David Edwards of Gale Stars, Ëmlvn Harewood of Starland, Steve Regis of West Stars, Glenford Sobers of Crosswinds, Roderick Toussaint of City Kids, Clunls Clarke of Casbah Tobago), [pictured middle row left to right] Lennox Mohammed of Cavaliers, Michael Alleyne of Scarlet Symphony, Carlyle Jordan of Dixie Harps, Elton John of City Symphony, Gordon Barrow of Scherzando, Randolph St. Louis of Renegades, Bertram Kellman of Southern Marines, [pictured top row left to right] Herman Collins of Sun Valley, Sylvester Nicholas of Tropical Harmony, David La Barrie of Sputniks, Rafael Passey of Fonclaire, Morris Romeo of Starlift (Tobago), [not pictured] Pedro Alexander Pereira of Blue Diamonds, Cabot Paul of Trinidad Symphony, Dean Kirton of Kintups, and Emmanuel Riley of Invaders" - George "Sonny" Goddard) Tripoli Steelband Under the leadership of Hugh Borde, Tripoli performed at the 1967 World's Fair in Montreal, Canada, following which they were booked for an extensive concert tour and television appearances with the famous American pianist Liberace. Hells Gate win Antigua Panorama ESSO Engro Steel Orchestra wins St. Vincent Panorama Cavaliers win Trinidad & Tobago Panorama with the tune Sixty-seven Anthony Williams suggests local tunes to be used with test pieces Desperadoes tour Zambia "I am Aldwin Albino who organized the band at the school. Martin is my younger brother. I was posted to Calvary R.C. in August,1965 after graduating from Government Training College. This was the first time that the school year in Trinidad had changed from January to July. Mr.Cyrille was my headteacher, and with his permission as well as the Rosary R.C. Church parish priest I received the green light to approach President George Goddard to obtain pans from Angostura Starlift for the project. The year was 1967, and I was also at that time the music director on Holly Betaudier's program Scouting for Talent, and as fate would have it Angostura also sponsored Scouting for Talent. Thanks again for your helpful research." -- Aldwin Albino. read more - from WST Forum... 10-19-2013
1968	Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago & panist Patrick Manning (second from left) performing with "Playboys" in 1968 at UWI Mona Jamaica. - photo and caption info posted by Patrick Manning. Harmonites win Trinidad & Tobago Panorama with the tune Wrecker Harmonites /Brute Force win Antigua Panorama with Miss Tourist /La Cascade respectively ESSO Engro Steel Orchestra wins St. Vincent Panorama In 1968, a competition was organized by the National History and Arts Council to showcase the talent of Steel bands in Guyana. Two sets of judges were used for the preliminaries and the finals. Competitors were required to play the National Anthem, a classical selection and a test-piece of the Guyanese folk song 'Way down Demerara' at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Two sets of judges were used for the preliminaries and the finals. Competitors were required to play the National Anthem, a classical selection and a test-piece of the Guyanese folk song 'Way down Demerara' at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. - Lloyd Kandasammy Music Festival At this time the annual Music Festival at Queen's College provided the impetus for the advancement of Pan and enabled the Steelband to hold their place in local entertainment against the increasingly popular string bands such as Rhymthaires - Combo Seven - Bumble and the Saints, and the Young Ones. The Beatles, Cliff Richards and the Ventures were big hits abroad. Pan was introduced in the Schools Broadcast Programme initiated by Derek Jeffrey. The Kaietukians, Silvertones, Pelicans and Texacans were the leading Steel bands. - Godfrey Chin Guyana - The National Music Festival and the National Steelband Competition – the winning band for both events was the formidable Demtoco Silvertones.
1969	Harmonites win Antigua Panorama with "Air On G String" - Rupert 'Teela' Parker arranger Panasonic wins Panorama in Grenada Coca Cola Harmonites wins St. Vincent Panorama Starlift win Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) Panorama with the tune The Bull CDC (Carnival Development Committee) is the sole sponsor of Trinidad &Tobago Panorama Police Superintendent Anthony Prospect suggests steel orchestras use ‘Concert Pitch’ when tuning, “A” above middle “G”, 440Hz, (universally accepted pitch) North Stars Steel Orchestra holds recital with Winifred Atwell at Queen’s Hall Merle Albino-de Coteau arranges for Chase Manhattan Savoy - first woman to arrange a Panorama piece Guyana - The National Music Festival and the National Steelband Competition – again the winning band for both events was the formidable Demtoco Silvertones. Ebony Steelband formed 1969 - UK read more

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