The steel drum aka steel pan or simply pan has a rich and fascinating history. The steel pan originated on the island of Trinidad in the late 1930s as a result of Winston “Spree” Simon, a young boy who creased a biscuit tin and produced two distinct tones on the can. By 1946, Ellie Mannette, known as the “Father of the Modern Steel Drum” created the very first pan instrument out of a 55 gallon oil barrel.
Link to Video of ==> Ellie Mannette Demonstrating the Steel Drums
Ellie Mannette Tuning Steel Drum. Photo by West Virginia University. Photo by: wvutoday.wvu.edu
Links to additional educational content pertaining to the steel drum instrument.
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