1940 Hell Yard Record: It's The First Ever

Abstract

The article is an extract from Bukka Rennie's book, "The Birth of Steel Drum Music and The History of Trinidad All Stars". Information has been unearthed that indicates that the Hell Yard Band of 1940 had three-note kettle pans, thereby strengthening the contention by many that 'notes' were first placed on pans in Hell Yard. The pans of Alexander Ragtime Band, the first all-iron band that emerged in 1939, were 'flat' and did not have 'notes'.