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STEELBAND HISTORY
CAMBOULAY
The years 1939 to 1945 therefore saw the birth of the modern steelband.
During the period 1945 to 1960 was the period of the consolidation
of modern steelband. During this period the Steelband Music Festival
made its appearance, a Steelband Association was formed, the first
foreign tour by TASPO took place in 1951, the Steelband made its appearance
on the airways when Ellie Manette played Brahm’s "Lullaby".
The 1960’s undoubtedly was the golden ear of the development
of the Music of the Steelband. Hilanders, Pan Am North Stars, Guiness
Cavaliers, Silver-Stars and Ebonites now took the stage. The Geniuses
– Bertie Marshall and Anthony Williams – Experimented
and innovated. Bobby Mohammed, Junior Pouchet and later on –
Ray Holman arose. The J’ouvert "Bomb" competition,
the Steelband Music Festivals, the steelband long playing records
and the Steelband Carnival Competition, Panorama certainly became
national events – part of a national culture.
The steelband gradually began to lose its place in Carnival, with
the Revellers going to the more sophisticated "Mas Bands".
The individuality of the panman was destroyed and in his place was
put the 100 man steel orchestra. The "Panorama Syndrome"
the high price of steelband instruments and the dawning of the electronic
age have all contributed to the difficult period of the 1970’s
for the steelband movement.
The drum gave way to the Tamboo Bamboo, which gave way to the ping-pong
and biscuit drum and today steel orchestra. Maxwell "Greyhound"
to "Alexander" to spree to Ellie, to Bertie and now perhaps
to Armin smith. The 1980’s present a great challenge in whose
cause this year’s Steelband Music Festival is dedicated. Pan
Trinbago says that the decade of the 80’s is the decade of
steelband resurgence. A steelband headquarters, a pan factory and
a new dawn for steelband. [BACK]
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