Some folks do not know anything about Tripoli, yet they write. Jealousy perhaps? BTW Without George Goddard, there would be NO steelbands or steel orchs. or panorams or music festivals.
Do not be misled, Hugh Borde was all about himself and his family, and I am amazed to see people like Big Mike, who knew this, and left with other former Tripoli members to form 21st Century, endorse him. Even Spiceman, had issues with his dad, and left to form Tropical Connection with American musicians, mind you. In reality, by the time I got to Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1985, they were mainly a gimmick act, running great musicians away, like Benny, who sang like Phillip Bailey (of Earth, Wind, & Fire), and Tracy, a great drummer. Then there was Gus Limbo - a terrible, White limbo dancer, that only they alone know where they got him from. Emile and another guy from Tobago, Godwin, used to walk off the stage, during his performances, and had no problem letting everyone know, including the patrons and Gus, that they despised him. Gus was fearful of them both, and kept his distance. Meanwhile, Hugh was contented giving unrehearsed performances, and one time, at a boat show, we played one song (I think it was Yellow Bird) for over 2 hours! Hugh would laugh, reminding us that the (White) patrons, knew nothing about pan, and were unaware of the poor product we were giving them. All Hugh was concerned with, was going to Trinidad for Carnival, and coming back with a few soca songs for the band to rehearse while performing on stage. In the over five years I was involved, the band practiced less than a dozen times, and I'm being conservative. Everything was basically learned on stage. The karma was so heavy, that another percussionist, Sid Baylis, lost his life in a terrible car accident they were involved in, while on tour with them in Colorado. This was a few years after I left the band, due to the exploitation and potential for physical abuse. These are the facts, as unpleasant and inconvenient, as they may seem, however, I am committed to telling the truth, as it applies to the steelband movement, and Hugh Borde is not the hero, that they are making him out to be. Granted, he went places (he is also an excellent opportunist), but, ask anyone to produce any recent clips of Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band, say within the last 15 years. Even the "educated" Chalkdust proved to be a sellout, and encouraged Hugh Borde in his deviant behaviors, just because they were friends. So, rather than do what my dad did, which is to tell Hugh that he cannot see him be unfaithful to his wife, who my dad also considered a friend, Dr. Hollis Liverpool, while at the University of Michigan, would meet up with Hugh and his "side-piece" wherever the band played. Needless to say, Hugh lost both; his wife divorcing him, and his Indian gyal leaving him in the dust. Ironically, when Hugh and his ex-wife left Trinidad to go on tour with Liberace, it was my dad who would be the one they asked to check up on their kids (Richard, Emile/Spiceman, Bianca "Buzzing Bee", Brian "Amo", and Carlton "Callie"), which he did religiously. That is how Bianca came to love and respect my dad. At least she never forgot. Spiceman, however, seems to have forgotten, for neither Boogsie (his "greatest"), Tello (his "god-father"), nor Junior Pouchett, were even around for them as children. George "Sonny" Goddard was, yet Spiceman has NEVER posted any, NOR responded to any comments, relating to my dad. It is also ALL about him and his family, and now he wants to run for Minister of Pan. All I can say is, both our dad's trained us well; you do what your dad did - look for fame and fortune, and I will continue to do what my dad did - look out for the local pan player, and expose the truth, regardless of friend or foe. Hugh knows that's how my dad was, and Hugh also knows that honesty is not his greatest quality. From my vantage point, Hugh Borde's Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band ended up being an embarrassment to both our country and our pan culture. That is my opinion, based on first-hand experience.
Patrick, thanks for your truthful comment. To answer, your question "Who did?", let us look at the facts...
1970, after a “ways and means” committee is appointed by the Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams, meets with George, and discusses plans to set up a co-operative to manufacture steeldrums. George asserts that he represents all the member steelbands, and cannot be involved with any plans for a “steelband co-operative”, that did not include all the membership. Dr. Williams agrees (on George's suggestion) to meet with the 130 steelbands (in groups), via a series of area meetings.
George is re-elected President on July 26, 1970. At the convention, Nathaniel Crichlow calls for a “Pan College”. The association also addresses issues relating to conditions of performers abroad, and the discrepancy in international relations between touring steelbands and foreign (mainly US) artistes who come to Trinidad and Tobago to perform.
George and his brother, Julian Goddard (general-secretary of the Association), openly protest “outdated colonial law”, that prohibited steelbands from parading on the streets at Christmas, referring to the steelbands as “beating noisy instruments”. Nine steelbands members charged on December 20, 1970, and were represented by the Association's legal adviser, Charles Tyson, Esq., who disputed the claim that the instruments were “noisy”.
1971, New Years day newspaper article reports that Goddard is upset over the arrests, and calls for removal of the “primitive law”. Calls for steelbands to boycott government functions. George does not attend the Prime Minister's Party for Tripoli Steelband, just back on tour with Liberace. On February 28, a paid advertisement, “Thank You Dr. Eric Williams”, endorsed by forty-five steelband leaders, appears in the local newspapers. Shortly after, George is fired by the government. SIC (Steelbands Improvement Committee) presses for special convention with aims of disrupting proceedings and moving for a “no confidence” vote. George announces there will no special meeting, and resigns in June as the Association's leader. Finally, toward the year's end, the name of the Association would be changed to Pan Trinbago.
Fantastic ideas in hindsight. Let me say as an outsider with inside connections, the great Dr. Eric Williams did not have the vision in the 60s that Pan would rise to this pinnacle. Who did? Remember, people of the lower echelon were looked upon as entertainers for the masses and the Socialites, like they did in CUBA, running a rope from the stage to the back of the dancehall, whites on one side, non-whites on the other, while they enjoyed the black music. Remember what Dr. Eric Williams told Bertie Marshall when approached for assistance with the Pan Movement ? "BOY I CAN'T TAKE THE PEOPLE MONEY AND PUT IN THIS THING'.
Pan is an evolution,............and the beat goes on.
This PM never fully invested in Pan. In the beginning there should have been an institution like a Pan Residential Academy to properly organize growth and development of the musicians and their instruments. Stipends moving up to wages should have been given to bona fide tuners and players to show the nation that this invention is to be sustained with finance and respect. Actions like that would have encouraged the nation to embrace pan at the beginning of the movement to Independence. Today you still have people of all ages who do not know how to be patriotic about this invention. Just gallerying, that's all!
Comments
Some folks do not know anything about Tripoli, yet they write. Jealousy perhaps? BTW Without George Goddard, there would be NO steelbands or steel orchs. or panorams or music festivals.
Do not be misled, Hugh Borde was all about himself and his family, and I am amazed to see people like Big Mike, who knew this, and left with other former Tripoli members to form 21st Century, endorse him. Even Spiceman, had issues with his dad, and left to form Tropical Connection with American musicians, mind you. In reality, by the time I got to Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1985, they were mainly a gimmick act, running great musicians away, like Benny, who sang like Phillip Bailey (of Earth, Wind, & Fire), and Tracy, a great drummer. Then there was Gus Limbo - a terrible, White limbo dancer, that only they alone know where they got him from. Emile and another guy from Tobago, Godwin, used to walk off the stage, during his performances, and had no problem letting everyone know, including the patrons and Gus, that they despised him. Gus was fearful of them both, and kept his distance. Meanwhile, Hugh was contented giving unrehearsed performances, and one time, at a boat show, we played one song (I think it was Yellow Bird) for over 2 hours! Hugh would laugh, reminding us that the (White) patrons, knew nothing about pan, and were unaware of the poor product we were giving them. All Hugh was concerned with, was going to Trinidad for Carnival, and coming back with a few soca songs for the band to rehearse while performing on stage. In the over five years I was involved, the band practiced less than a dozen times, and I'm being conservative. Everything was basically learned on stage. The karma was so heavy, that another percussionist, Sid Baylis, lost his life in a terrible car accident they were involved in, while on tour with them in Colorado. This was a few years after I left the band, due to the exploitation and potential for physical abuse. These are the facts, as unpleasant and inconvenient, as they may seem, however, I am committed to telling the truth, as it applies to the steelband movement, and Hugh Borde is not the hero, that they are making him out to be. Granted, he went places (he is also an excellent opportunist), but, ask anyone to produce any recent clips of Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band, say within the last 15 years. Even the "educated" Chalkdust proved to be a sellout, and encouraged Hugh Borde in his deviant behaviors, just because they were friends. So, rather than do what my dad did, which is to tell Hugh that he cannot see him be unfaithful to his wife, who my dad also considered a friend, Dr. Hollis Liverpool, while at the University of Michigan, would meet up with Hugh and his "side-piece" wherever the band played. Needless to say, Hugh lost both; his wife divorcing him, and his Indian gyal leaving him in the dust. Ironically, when Hugh and his ex-wife left Trinidad to go on tour with Liberace, it was my dad who would be the one they asked to check up on their kids (Richard, Emile/Spiceman, Bianca "Buzzing Bee", Brian "Amo", and Carlton "Callie"), which he did religiously. That is how Bianca came to love and respect my dad. At least she never forgot. Spiceman, however, seems to have forgotten, for neither Boogsie (his "greatest"), Tello (his "god-father"), nor Junior Pouchett, were even around for them as children. George "Sonny" Goddard was, yet Spiceman has NEVER posted any, NOR responded to any comments, relating to my dad. It is also ALL about him and his family, and now he wants to run for Minister of Pan. All I can say is, both our dad's trained us well; you do what your dad did - look for fame and fortune, and I will continue to do what my dad did - look out for the local pan player, and expose the truth, regardless of friend or foe. Hugh knows that's how my dad was, and Hugh also knows that honesty is not his greatest quality. From my vantage point, Hugh Borde's Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band ended up being an embarrassment to both our country and our pan culture. That is my opinion, based on first-hand experience.
GHOST
Patrick, thanks for your truthful comment. To answer, your question "Who did?", let us look at the facts...
1970, after a “ways and means” committee is appointed by the Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams, meets with George, and discusses plans to set up a co-operative to manufacture steeldrums. George asserts that he represents all the member steelbands, and cannot be involved with any plans for a “steelband co-operative”, that did not include all the membership. Dr. Williams agrees (on George's suggestion) to meet with the 130 steelbands (in groups), via a series of area meetings.
George is re-elected President on July 26, 1970. At the convention, Nathaniel Crichlow calls for a “Pan College”. The association also addresses issues relating to conditions of performers abroad, and the discrepancy in international relations between touring steelbands and foreign (mainly US) artistes who come to Trinidad and Tobago to perform.
George and his brother, Julian Goddard (general-secretary of the Association), openly protest “outdated colonial law”, that prohibited steelbands from parading on the streets at Christmas, referring to the steelbands as “beating noisy instruments”. Nine steelbands members charged on December 20, 1970, and were represented by the Association's legal adviser, Charles Tyson, Esq., who disputed the claim that the instruments were “noisy”.
1971, New Years day newspaper article reports that Goddard is upset over the arrests, and calls for removal of the “primitive law”. Calls for steelbands to boycott government functions. George does not attend the Prime Minister's Party for Tripoli Steelband, just back on tour with Liberace. On February 28, a paid advertisement, “Thank You Dr. Eric Williams”, endorsed by forty-five steelband leaders, appears in the local newspapers. Shortly after, George is fired by the government. SIC (Steelbands Improvement Committee) presses for special convention with aims of disrupting proceedings and moving for a “no confidence” vote. George announces there will no special meeting, and resigns in June as the Association's leader. Finally, toward the year's end, the name of the Association would be changed to Pan Trinbago.
https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum/topics/who-am-i-a-breakdown-of
Fantastic ideas in hindsight. Let me say as an outsider with inside connections, the great Dr. Eric Williams did not have the vision in the 60s that Pan would rise to this pinnacle. Who did? Remember, people of the lower echelon were looked upon as entertainers for the masses and the Socialites, like they did in CUBA, running a rope from the stage to the back of the dancehall, whites on one side, non-whites on the other, while they enjoyed the black music. Remember what Dr. Eric Williams told Bertie Marshall when approached for assistance with the Pan Movement ? "BOY I CAN'T TAKE THE PEOPLE MONEY AND PUT IN THIS THING'.
Pan is an evolution,............and the beat goes on.
This PM never fully invested in Pan. In the beginning there should have been an institution like a Pan Residential Academy to properly organize growth and development of the musicians and their instruments. Stipends moving up to wages should have been given to bona fide tuners and players to show the nation that this invention is to be sustained with finance and respect. Actions like that would have encouraged the nation to embrace pan at the beginning of the movement to Independence. Today you still have people of all ages who do not know how to be patriotic about this invention. Just gallerying, that's all!