How Steelband Music Came into Being: Ellie Brought Pan Out of Dark Ages

Abstract

The article recounts how steelband music came into being and the history and development of the steelpan. From the beat of the biscuit drum without notes to a paint drum and Winston 'Spree' Simon being credited with inventing the first melodic pan. Then along came Ellie Mannette who put more notes on the ping pong and rubber on the beating end of the sticks, bringing panmen and pan music out of the dark ages.