Rudolph Charles (October 1, 1938 – March 29, 1985) Rudolph Charles, otherwise known as 'The Hammer' was born and raised in Trinidad. He was a pioneer, a successful steelpan inventor, tuner and leader of the West Indian Tobacco Desperadoes steel orchestra from 1961 until his death in 1985. Charles gained respect from steelpan musicians around the world, was a highly talented musician and was loved within his community of Laventille. He was also the inventor of the 9-bass steelpan, the rocket pan, the 12 bass steelpan, the quadraphonic pan and the triple second with foot bass. He had a particular tuning style was the distinguishing character of the band, and he will be remembered as one of the greats of Steel Pan. Source:http://www.itzcaribbean.com/music-directory-details.php?806 © 2008 Noel P. Norton - All rights reserved
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  • Has Mr. Narine done any work on Mr. Charles' bio ?

  • Other triviaI firsts attributed to Mr. Rudolph Charles, he introduced the chroming of pans & pan casing and canopies to harvest sound. And yes, I know that Highlanders and Harmonites had covering before Desperadoes. However, covering and scientific canopies are two different innovations. He is "credited" for the oval shaped inner notes, and adapting Mr. Anthony Williams' spiderwed tenor into the coventional way that the notes are positioned presently. Please notice that I stated "credited," because another tuner told me that Rudolph got it from him. And no! I would mention the source.  

    On another note I believe that "Charlo" was the only person that could have stopped the flow of drugs in the Laventille Road area and its environs. They say that if the famous Inspector "R. B" was still around, the flows would have been limited. It is alleged that both Charlo and Inspector R. B. demises were mysterious. Please note, I stated "It's alleged"

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