MySpace a place for friends

As steel drum ambassadors the Esso Trinidad Steel Band began their career in 1942. Originally named the Tripoli Steel Band in honor of the U.S. Marines Hymn (with its reference to "the shores of Tripoli"), the group's roots lie in the evolution of the steel pan, the homemade percussion instrument forged from the milk tins, paint cans, and oil barrels clotting Trinidad's shores. At first a means of creative expression for the island's poor, steel pan bands eventually surfaced across Trinidad, leading to fierce competition at the annual Carnival celebration.

With Hugh Borde assuming leadership of the Tripoli Steel Band in 1951, the group quickly emerged as one of the most skilled and creative units in competition, and in 1964 won the first official Steel Band Music Festival. By this time Trinidad was independent from British rule, and with foreign oil companies fearing nationalization of their business, they began seeking new ways to win favor with the island's population. In 1965, the Esso oil company agreed to sponsor the Tripoli Steel Band, which was renamed the Esso Trinidad Steel Band as a result. Esso provided instruments, uniforms, and touring finances for the 28-piece outfit. The appearance earned the group a record deal with the Toronto-based ARC Sound label. In 1967, the Esso Trinidad Tripoli Steelband (named after the World War II movie Shores of Tripoli) was sent by the government and the Esso oil company to represent Trinidad and the nation's musical heritage at the Montreal Expo World’s Fair.

The band took Expo ’67 by storm. Their sound and the performance caught the ear of one of the most popular entertainers of the day: Liberace. The flamboyant pianist was so taken by this new, luminous sound that he later took the renamed Trinidad Tripoli Steelband on tour with him for two years. Liberace with his rhinestone-crusted white piano and 28 black Trinidadian steel pan players, all touring America together -- including the 1960s segregated South. Borde recalls, “He was very proud to present to the people in America, this unique type of music. He would come and play ‘12th Street Rag’ or ‘Alleycat’ with us.” With Liberace sitting in on a few songs, Tripoli recorded an album (‘Liberace Presents the Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band’). In 1971while at Warner Brothers, legendary producer/artist Van Dyke Parks whose work included artist as Aaron Neville, The Everly Brothers, U2, The Beach Boys,Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt to name a few, produced a self titled LP on Warner Bros "The Esso Trinidad Steelband" that later went on to win (best ethnic/traditional Grammy, 1971).

In the late 1960s, in addition to their work with Liberace, the band also performed alongside top entertainers like Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Della Reese, Dionne Warwick, and others at pockets of sophistication as Rockefeller Plaza, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center in New York City; Royal Albert Hall in London, Hollywood Bowl and the Fillmore West. They also had major guest shots on television shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Mike Douglas and David Frost. When Esso's sponsorship ended, the renamed Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band toured the world for over two years as supporting act for the flamboyant pianist. Borde relocated his family from Trinidad to Ann Arbor, MI in 1975. By 1977 the group effectively splintered, but his 7children (led by son Emile) later organized a new Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band lineup. The band went on to recorded several more albums including "Live It Up" (1982), “Momentum” (1985) for the Meridian record label and the hit “HotLikeFire” for the Schoolkids records. They continue to tour the U.S. and Hugh continues to be a judge at the annual steel drum festival "Panorama" in Trinidad during the Carnival Season.

Borde was given Trinidad's prestigious Hummingbird Medal for his development in the field of steel band music also a Golden Medal of Merit in 1986 by president Ronald Reagan. Hugh Borde was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards. He also has been voted into the Hall of Fame at the Motown Detroit Metro Music Awards.

TRINIDAD TRIPOLI STEELBAND ctc: Phone: 734.572.0898