Steel band icon, Winston Roberts, passes on

[Pan Times]

Guyana, SA - The steel band community was thrown into deep mourning following the death of one of their own, Winston Roberts, who departed this life on Saturday last. He was 70. Mr. Roberts worked at the Guyana National Newspapers Ltd. and would also be remembered for his sterling contributions to the development of pan music in Guyana. The quintessential Roberts was also involved in activities in several other sectors in Guyana. He served as an officer in the Guyana Prison Service and subsequently, in 1980, performed the functions of a Disciplinary Sergeant Major (DSM) at the New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast. Roberts was also very instrumental in the lives of youngsters incarcerated at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) and tutored them in the finer arts of boxing. ....Maybe, from among his many activities, Roberts would most be credited with his contributions to steel pan music. In 1987, he, along with Roy Geddes, traveled to East Africa, to Tanzania and commissioned three steel bands in that country. click for more