Lennox “Gunz” Gonzales
San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Lennox was born on July 14, 1938. He had four siblings but he was the only one to take to pan and according to him, his affection with the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago began one J’Ouvert morning when he was merely 13 years old. He was mesmerized upon seeing his friend and neighbor, Reynold Gaskin, aka Little Brave Boy, playing a pan and holding it with the other hand in a Tamboo Bamboo Band.
In those days there was a band, Destroyers—at the corner of Upper Marryat and Coffee Streets, San Fernando—which he began visiting at practice time. Back then the duration of practice was from about 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The musical entity later shifted base to behind Rivoli Cinema.
Unknown to “Gunz” his curiosity was being observed. The band shifted base again, with a name change in the making – Melody Makers. The players included the likes of Radcliff Baker (captain), Kenneth George aka Kenneth Braithwaite aka “Scorpio”, Cedric Parris – “Kicker Dragon,” Carlton Lynch – “Musmuss,” Neville Sandy and Clyde Alexander – “Brownie.”
The period was sometime in 1955… pan was still being carried around the neck. As carnival drew closer practice intensified. One of the members asked “Gunz” to join their ranks. Indeed, he was elated, and obliged. He was thus offered a “piggy” to play - aka “a grumbler” or grundig, now a double guitar.
Steelband competitions were then held at Kings Wharf as well as Naparima Grounds. Sometime after carnival “Gunz” began to play the guitar pan and hence became a full-fledged member of the Melody Makers’ stage side. Other players who later joined the fold included Cyril “Skull” Baker, Errol “Stork” St, Hill, the Fergus brothers, and Reynold “Little Brave Boy” Gaskin.
Lennox “Gunz” Gonzales
“Gunz” recalled a competition at Empire Cinema in San Fernando. The competitors included Southern Symphony, Free French and Southern Marines. Other competitions were held at Presentation College and Gaiety Cinema.
The band was forced to seek alternative accommodation once more. This caused a split among the band’s membership, with those living closer to Navet opting to follow an outfit called Valley Boys which later changed its name to Motown. “Gunz” spent a few years with them before laying his sticks down permanently by which time he had resorted to playing the 3-pan cello.
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Hollis Clifton
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