From (L to R) Back row - Lennox Glean(Wonderland), Kelvin Hart(City Syncopators), Herman Collins(Casablanca), Osmond Charles(Savoys), Hugh Borde(Tripoli), Emmanuel Riley(Invaders), Steve Regis(Sun Downers), Rudolph Johnson(Fasinators), Morrison Romeo(Tobago), Front row (R to L) - Elton John(City Synphony), Kenneth Thomas(San Juan All Stars), Clifford Alexis(Stereophonics), Vincent Hernandez(Satisfiers), Desmond Hernandez, Randolph St Louis(Renegades). Missing from picture; Junior Pouchet, Errol Zepherine, Bobby Mohammed, David Williams, Winston Mc Clean, Norbert Augustine and George 'Sonny' Goddard, Leader and Manager of the National Steelband.
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Thanks for sharing, Mr. Alexis. I will ALWAYS remember that story you shared with me a Hugh's home in Ypsilanti, Michigan, as to how it became possible for you to stay in the United States. I hope you share it with this WST forum as well. Thanks for clarifying my dad's role in all this. With respect,
Clifford and Steve, thanks for bringing back this wonderful memory. I remember that George was unable to make the trip and I was given the duty to manage this incredible group.
No need to say that I was a bit nervous as this was the first time that such a large group of Pan-men were put together to represent our country and each one was from a different band. My fears were soon gone as I realized that these were all big men and even though our bands were different, we came together as one, we lived together, ate together and even more important, learned to play together for the entire tour. Memories that I will never forget.
Cliff. I agree with you fully when you mention that little is said about this band and so much is mentioned about T.A.S.P.O. This band performed in several states in America, played to the entire British Commonwealth in England, Scotland and Wales in 1965 and then played to the world at Expo 67. Now would you not think that this was quite a lot more exposure of the steelband to the world than the stint done by T.A.S.P.O.?
I know that there would be people who disagree with my opinion but I stand firmly with my comments. Several of the members of this band have now passed away and the rest like myself (back row, 7th from left) are now in our 70"s and may pass on soon but we are still waiting to get some respect for our role in taking pan to the world.
Mr. Alexis ; Thanks for your comment for it gave quite a lot of info on the National SteelBand. I remember when they returned from that tour in 1964 Mr. Hunte and some of the members came to the San Fernando Methodist Elementary School which was next to our Pan Yard ( Texaco West Stars Steel Orch. ) and they gave us a very interesting summary of their performances in the USA . An outstanding point was how much they had benefited from Mr.Hunte's Leadership role for when some thought they would have had a fun time with the ladies, parties,casinos and all that goes with such activities , they were counseled into being responsible Artiste of T+T and they all were in high praise for Mr. Hunte who was also there at the school that night . Just shows the effective of proper leadership . Thanks .
Update...Desmond Hernandez is still playing pan....he is a member of the Icewater Pan Ensemble...he celebrated his 78 (if I'm correct) birthday a few weeks ago
Lennox Glean (Wonderland), Kelvin Hart (City Syncopators), Herman Collins (Casablanca), Osmond Charles (Savoys), Hugh Borde (Tripoli), Emmanuel Riley (Invaders), Steve Regis (Sun Downers), Rudolph Johnson (Fascinators), Morrison Romeo (Tobago), Elton John (City Symphony), Kenneth Thomas (San Juan All Stars), Clifford Alexis (Stereophonics), Vincent Hernandez (Satisfiers), Desmond Hernandez, Randolph St. Louis (Renegades)
Missing from the picture: Junior Pouchet, Errol Zepherine, Bobby Mohammed, David Williams, Winston McClean, Norbert Augustine.
The national steelband was formed in 1962, by George Goddard. There were 44 members, this band was invited to go to Mackinac Island in Michigan in July of 1964 to take part in a conference sponsored by the Moral Rearmament Group. West Indies cricketeer Conrad Hunt, and others including George Goddard were responsible for this groups trip to Michigan. Only 22 members were selected for this tour. What I've noticed in the historical aspects of steelbands leaving Trinidad and Tobago, is that a lot of mention is made of TASPO, which I have a great respect for. But nobody ever mentions the national sttelband, which played a very significant role in the history of pan. Apart from going to the U.S. this band also went to the British Commonwealth Festival in London, and Expo 67 in Montreal.
Thank You All,
From Cliff Alexis co-director of Northern Illinois University Steelband with Liam Teague
This is probably a pic of the first National Steel Band to go abroad and that was 1964 I believe subject to correction .Back row 3rd from our right is Steve Regis from Sundowners and 5th it looks like Hugh Borde of Tripoli ,so I suppose they can give us the correct info on this pic . Thanks .
:-) All in due time, bro. Besides, I don't want to get "sued" or beat up. Yuh know ah lot ah thugs in de pan business. Ah go wait until dey self-destruct, as it seems like dey doing at dis moment. I would say: "Celebrity marriages, they never last, do they?" lol. Hotep (Peace).
Berthel, the date is, July 20, 1964. That's Hugh Borde, 5th from left, back row. I was only 3 years old, but I'll see if my mom recognizes any of the other faces and get back with you, on the other names, if they are not posted by then. QUESTION: Why did they fly on Pan Am? (See "Forty Years In The Steelbands, 1939-1979" by George "Sonny" Goddard.)
Comments
Thanks for sharing, Mr. Alexis. I will ALWAYS remember that story you shared with me a Hugh's home in Ypsilanti, Michigan, as to how it became possible for you to stay in the United States. I hope you share it with this WST forum as well. Thanks for clarifying my dad's role in all this. With respect,
George David Goddard.
Honoring The Legacy Of George "Sonny" Goddard.
Clifford and Steve, thanks for bringing back this wonderful memory. I remember that George was unable to make the trip and I was given the duty to manage this incredible group.
No need to say that I was a bit nervous as this was the first time that such a large group of Pan-men were put together to represent our country and each one was from a different band. My fears were soon gone as I realized that these were all big men and even though our bands were different, we came together as one, we lived together, ate together and even more important, learned to play together for the entire tour. Memories that I will never forget.
Cliff. I agree with you fully when you mention that little is said about this band and so much is mentioned about T.A.S.P.O. This band performed in several states in America, played to the entire British Commonwealth in England, Scotland and Wales in 1965 and then played to the world at Expo 67. Now would you not think that this was quite a lot more exposure of the steelband to the world than the stint done by T.A.S.P.O.?
I know that there would be people who disagree with my opinion but I stand firmly with my comments. Several of the members of this band have now passed away and the rest like myself (back row, 7th from left) are now in our 70"s and may pass on soon but we are still waiting to get some respect for our role in taking pan to the world.
Steve Regis
Mr. Alexis ; Thanks for your comment for it gave quite a lot of info on the National SteelBand. I remember when they returned from that tour in 1964 Mr. Hunte and some of the members came to the San Fernando Methodist Elementary School which was next to our Pan Yard ( Texaco West Stars Steel Orch. ) and they gave us a very interesting summary of their performances in the USA . An outstanding point was how much they had benefited from Mr.Hunte's Leadership role for when some thought they would have had a fun time with the ladies, parties,casinos and all that goes with such activities , they were counseled into being responsible Artiste of T+T and they all were in high praise for Mr. Hunte who was also there at the school that night . Just shows the effective of proper leadership . Thanks .
Update...Desmond Hernandez is still playing pan....he is a member of the Icewater Pan Ensemble...he celebrated his 78 (if I'm correct) birthday a few weeks ago
(From back row left-right)
Lennox Glean (Wonderland), Kelvin Hart (City Syncopators), Herman Collins (Casablanca), Osmond Charles (Savoys), Hugh Borde (Tripoli), Emmanuel Riley (Invaders), Steve Regis (Sun Downers), Rudolph Johnson (Fascinators), Morrison Romeo (Tobago), Elton John (City Symphony), Kenneth Thomas (San Juan All Stars), Clifford Alexis (Stereophonics), Vincent Hernandez (Satisfiers), Desmond Hernandez, Randolph St. Louis (Renegades)
Missing from the picture: Junior Pouchet, Errol Zepherine, Bobby Mohammed, David Williams, Winston McClean, Norbert Augustine.
The national steelband was formed in 1962, by George Goddard. There were 44 members, this band was invited to go to Mackinac Island in Michigan in July of 1964 to take part in a conference sponsored by the Moral Rearmament Group. West Indies cricketeer Conrad Hunt, and others including George Goddard were responsible for this groups trip to Michigan. Only 22 members were selected for this tour. What I've noticed in the historical aspects of steelbands leaving Trinidad and Tobago, is that a lot of mention is made of TASPO, which I have a great respect for. But nobody ever mentions the national sttelband, which played a very significant role in the history of pan. Apart from going to the U.S. this band also went to the British Commonwealth Festival in London, and Expo 67 in Montreal.
Thank You All,
From Cliff Alexis co-director of Northern Illinois University Steelband with Liam Teague
This is probably a pic of the first National Steel Band to go abroad and that was 1964 I believe subject to correction .Back row 3rd from our right is Steve Regis from Sundowners and 5th it looks like Hugh Borde of Tripoli ,so I suppose they can give us the correct info on this pic . Thanks .
:-) All in due time, bro. Besides, I don't want to get "sued" or beat up. Yuh know ah lot ah thugs in de pan business. Ah go wait until dey self-destruct, as it seems like dey doing at dis moment. I would say: "Celebrity marriages, they never last, do they?" lol. Hotep (Peace).
Thanks Ghost, you are too silent these days. Speak.
Berthel, the date is, July 20, 1964. That's Hugh Borde, 5th from left, back row. I was only 3 years old, but I'll see if my mom recognizes any of the other faces and get back with you, on the other names, if they are not posted by then. QUESTION: Why did they fly on Pan Am? (See "Forty Years In The Steelbands, 1939-1979" by George "Sonny" Goddard.)
GHOST.
Can anyone give the names of the National Steelband and a Date?