Sunday will mark 30 years since the passing of Rudolph Charles and he is still fondly remembered. A musician and pan innovator, Charles, who died at the age of 46, was a pioneer and leader of the steelband movement in T&T, specifically Witco Desperadoes.
Nicknamed "Trail," "Charlo" and "The Hammer," Charles was part of the talented small band called Spike Jones in the 50s. In 1958, at the age of 20, Charles gravitated towards the Gay Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and was made leader three years later because of his ability to read music. In 1965, the orchestra entered into a sponsorship agreement with Witco, providing Charles with the financial backing he needed to implement his many innovative ideas for the steelpan. In 1970, the band won the National Panorama title and began touring the USA and Europe. Later on, the band's name was changed to the Witco Desperadoes.
Because of his strict disciplinary manner, and because he always carried around a tuner's mallet, Charles became affectionately known as "The Hammer."
It was he who gave Desperadoes its characteristic mellow, organ-tone that it has kept even to this day. On the steelband's finest inventors/innovators, Charles was the first to chrome pans, which enhanced their tonal quality, durability and appearance. He was also the first to improve the steelpan canopies by using aluminium to make them, and by designing them in a new shape.
Charles' creativity led to the development of several new instruments that are visible in all steel orchestras today.
He collaborated with master tuners such as the late Bertie Marshall and Lincoln Noel, which led to the invention of the Rocket Pan (1971-1972), named for its unique rocket shape; the Twelve Bass set of pans (1975-1976); the Quadraphonic Pans (1978); and, the Triple Second Pan with foot bass.
In tribute to these outstanding contributions, Pan Trinbago created the Rudolph Charles Award for Innovation in the creation of steelpans. Perhaps today more than ever Charles is greatly missed by his steelband, its supporters and the people of Laventille Hill.