Steel Pan in the UK

HISTORY AND GROWTH OF STEEL PAN IN THE UK

Since the first performance of the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) at the Festival of Britain in 26 July 1951, the interest and intrigue of pan in the UK has been unquenchable.

The Notting Hill Carnival started as a result of Russell Henderson OBE and
Sterling Betancourt OBE parading through the streets of west London in 1965 in an appeal to bring together diverse and hostile communities. Today the Carnival attracts over one million people every year and generates over £100m per annum for London's economy.

The first steelband to participate in Notting Hill Carnival was Nostalgia Steel Orchestra. By 1969 there were more bands starting to emerge; Melody Makers, Blue Notes and Bay 57 which Len Boogsie Sharp was part of when be was in England.

Read more about the lives of the steel band movement pioneers...