A mourner wears a " Fonclaire forever " mask at the funeral service for founding member of Fonclaire steel orchestra, Milton "Wire" Austin at St Paul's Anglican church, Harris Promenade San Fernando. Photos by Lincoln Holder
Considered a steelband warlord and a man with musical gifts, 79-year-old Milton "Wire" Austin received tributes from mourners on Wednesday.
The funeral for the founding member of the San Fernando-based NLCB Fonclaire Steel Orchestra took place at the St Paul’s Anglican Church at Harris Promenade in San Fernando.
City mayor Junia Regrello said Austin was an unrivalled leader among his peers Austin's determination and influence, he said, were able to usher in the transformational evolution of the instrument in San Fernando.
Fonclaire members escort the casket at the funeral service for founding member of Fonclaire steel orchestra, Milton "Wire" Austin at St Paul's Anglican church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando.
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Today we celebrate the spirit of a steelband warlord.
A man set amongst his peers as an unrivaled leader, who in my opinion through his sheer will, determination
and influence was able to usher in the transformational evolution of the steel pan instrument in San Fernando.
A quick respite in the calypsos of days gone by can offer a glimpse of the world of the pan yard, its practitioners
and how they were seen.
According to Sparrow who said, “If yuh sister talk to a steelband man she family want to break she hand, put
she out, mash up all she teeth in she mouth, pass yuh outcast.” Luckily for Joan, her brothers were pan players
and so it was easy for her family to accept Milton as her husband.
However, the real problem for some of us started where one of her brothers, Raffie, who was one of the
arrangers for West Stars (the band that I played with) left to form Fonclaire with his brother-in-law in 1965.
At the 1968 Panorama, Fonclaire failed to make the south finals and West Stars did, which annoyed the
Fonclaire supporters who protested outside Skinner Park, with placards saying; “West Stars Say Pay Yuh
Way and Yuh Dey”.
On J’ouvert morning, Foncaire won the “Bomb Competition” with an (allegedly) unfinished tune with West
Stars in second position. Both bands crossed on Coffee Street on Carnival Tuesday, where some harsh words
were exchanged and that was the beginning of a rivalry between Milton and myself.
Later that year, both bands represented San Fernando at the Steelband Festival at Queen’s Hall. Fonclaire
played “If I were a Rich Man” and West Stars, “Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna”. Both bands failed to
make it to the finals which propelled Steve Regis to say; “Allyuh fight now!”
Our first and only face to face confrontation came in 1999 when we served on the Executive of Pan Trinbago, it
happened during a heated discussion on a proposal made by the President, which I was not supporting. Milton
told me to back off as he was in agreement with the President, which I did not do. It got so bad that we squared
off and had to be separated by other members.
The following day, Sean Nero carried the story in the Guardian with the caption, “South 2 Badjohn Leaders
brought Pantrinbago meeting to a halt”. On reflecting, I do not think we are or were ‘Badjohn’ band leaders,
but leaders who were prepared to stand up for what we believed in and not back down.
A perfect example would be the fiasco on Coffee Street, Carnival Tuesday Night of 2018, when the Police
attempted to prematurely shut down the Carnival and once again, I stood my ground. What is peculiar with this
narrative, is that it is on this very spot, on Carnival Monday of 1884 that Captain Baker of the Trinidad
Constabulary was ordered by Governor Freeling to have the Tamboo Bamboo players stopped, which resulted
in one death and several injuries. 134 years later, history repeated itself.
I am sure if it were Milton standing in my shoes, he would have taken the same position. The steelband leaders
of a particular era were of that mettle, they stood their our ground and more so, were not adverse to
confrontation as they operated in a time when the socio-economic coordinations were explosive. They are
responsible for the progress the instrument has made.
Therefore, I will strongly suggest that all the leaders who were charged and jailed during those turbulent years
be granted full pardon for their perseverance.
Today, we live in a world where the steel pan is on the university circuit here and abroad, where disputes are
settled through recognition and dialogue, and not violence. Where leaders hold on to the belief that they could
pass something of value to the next generation, not a nebulous dream, but a firm and solid foundation to build
on for the future, and that should be the legacy of Mr. Milton ‘Wire’ Austin.
Milton and I have a few things in common:
1. We both started playing pan at the age of 15
2. We both became steelband leaders in our 20s. Milton at 25 and me at 21.
3. We both have a knack for mashing people’s corns, as the old saying goes: ‘To make an omelet you have to
break a few eggs’.
From the very inception, Milton was unafraid and most certainly unapologetic, he held his beliefs and did mash
a few corns. His dream was to position Fonclaire on the musical forefront and that he did. What was even
more amazing, was his ability to temper and transform himself to fit the mold required. More often than not,
we see leaders of his ilk unable to evolve out of their mindset.
During our conversations over the past 7 years, it was clear that in his wisdom and age, he recognized that his
work was done and the steelband needed him to be something more, a transformation he finally acceded to. His
contribution to the art form spanned half of a century and more, in which he saw the fruits of his labor: a
thought which I am sure brought him comfort.
His engendering of a community band that proudly represented his beloved City, is one of his greatest
contributions. What Milton Austin did for steelpan in San Fernando through his will, fortitude and leadership
changed the shape of the intangible.
The pan industry is resplendent with a litany of individuals of incredible skill and artistry but among his peers,
Milton ‘Wire’ Austin was a leader extraordinaire. Given a new form, the generations after him have received a
gift to carry on. To support and develop and to be handed down.
It is in this sense that I am happy that the San Fernando City Corporation was able to honor him this year,
through a citation and an endowment. Additionally, through our ‘Year of the Arts’ program which will run
from November 18th 2020 – 2021, when Milton’s contributions would be documented through the San
Fernando City Corporation commissioned book by Dawad Philip.
Now that he finds peace in the glory of God, may we celebrate him and his achievements like the musical
warrior he is, not with tears of sorrow, but hearts filled with joy and gratification, for we stand together on a
foundation of his work.
May he Rest in Peace and rise in glory.
Thank you.