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Monday, February 3, 2014
All Stars
Lose Another General - Kenneth "Drago" Berwick
The name "Drago" aka "Scrape", Tall Boy"
"Stretch" had become synonymous with All Stars Steel Orchestra... at
least to pan lovers in Trinidad & Tobago's Industrial Capital, San
Fernando. This had been the case with whatever sobriquet used in reference to
the band ... Southern All Stars, United All Stars or its mergence with
Antillean under the tutelage of Jhamille Whiby. This extends even onto the
associate sponsors over the years ... Texaco, Ju-C, Ross & Sons and
Paradise Amusement. Although he never actually "knocked" pan (with
that band) Drago had become an institution with the musical outfit due to what
he was able to bring to the table. But alas, this shall be no more as Drago was
laid to rest at Belgroves Crematorium on Tuesday 31st December, 2013.
Kenneth's Sunrise occurred on August
6, 1941, from whence he left an indelible mark where he was bred in Brown Lane
(Carlton Lane) San Fernando well prior to his demise on December 26, 2013. His
dexterity included that of a Painter cum Graphic Designer which he shared with
his favourite musical outfit. Drago was not only responsible for printing
T-Shirts and banners for All Stars but also for painting the national
instrument and designing the logo many a carnival season. He was also
responsible for overseeing the welding of the pan racks for the road.
Collecting Band Fee was also under his sobriquet.
WHEN THE STEELBAND CLASH
After the second world war experimentation on the steel drum was in full
swing all over Trinidad. Any well meaning parents forbade their children to go
even near a pan yard. As the Calypsonian Blakie put it in song "If yuh
sister talk to a steelband man yuh family want to break she hand, put she out
break up every teeth in she mouth ... caste yuh out caste"
Drago defied his parents and could always be found in All Stars pan
yard. It was not unusual for two Steelbands to clash at carnival. The fracas
will cause both bands to be banned by the authorities. This anomaly started
under British rule and continued well into independence. To circumvent that the
band will simply change its name as it was the only way one could have gotten a
permit to play music on the streets at carnival. So one year All Stars can
easily becomeUnited All Stars while another year Southern
All Stars or Antillean All Stars. Drago was part and
parcel of such transition as he was responsible for the graphic
conceptualisation in most cases. Over the years the band's arrangers
included Theo Stephens on his return from TASPO, Bendic,Ray Holman and Jhamille
Whibby.
DRAGO THE MASMAN
To the ladies Drago was that "tall, brown skin, handsome Off duty
Army General" of All Stars. As an artist he would come up with
carnival designs for the pan side and would even bring a section. In the words
of Ray Hinkson, his childhood next door neighbour, "Drago was my keenest
rival as a section leader for All Stars". These two always tried to outdo
one another in their presentation and dance moves on the road. This was,
indeed, the order of the day in carnival, a la Trinidad. To see the draper
Drago step in full regalia towering all others around him, at 6 feet four
inches was, indeed, a sight to behold.
THE BROWN LANE SCENARIO
To those who knew him well enough Drago had a rather quiet disposition
... he sometimes stammered and tended to open his mouth only when necessary. He
was more of a listener than a talker... the kind of guy who more often is seen
but not heard, except for when he's whistling one of his favourite ditties. It
could well have been "Tall Boy" who came up with the term "Slakkers",
the name given to guys in his home circle. It was also the name of the Football
Club in "The Lane" which participated in a soccer
League in Princes Town. Even though soccer was not his thing ... he was a most
ardent supporter. It was later to become Carlton Lane Club which
was involved in a Sunday Soccer League in Mon Repos/Navet.
The last grouping which came out of the area was the Carlton
Lane Community Group with Hollis Clifton as President. Drago served as
an Elder/Advisor to the outfit... a role which saw him develop a relationship
with Dr. Roderick Loney, the Pastor of the Beth'aleel First Baptist Church on
Drayton Street, Sando. Drago became the keeper of a set of pews which Pastor
Looney donated to the Community Group for whenever meetings were to be held. It
was a dependable Drago who would bring out the pews and lay them in the court
in readiness for each meeting. He would later muster man power to return them
to his premises for safe keeping.
It was a common site to see the Brown Lane Posse at
fetes and other social events decked in jerseys identifying themselves as
"Slakkers"... designed and printed by Drago. One could have
called him "Mr Fete" ... he never missed one yet. In those days it
was common for every block to carry a name.
In a trip down memory Lane, Wolly Francis iterated the love Drago had
for card games inclusive of wa'pee, sipsam, brag, rummy, hearts, among others.
It was quite "normel" for these activities to take place at the side
of the road or under the Berwick's residence. He wasn't afraid to gamble
either. Drago was also the man behind the short-lived Blue Busters
Steelband which was based in his backyard. That band was managed by
his cousin, Sham George, who at that time stayed at the Berwick's residence.
This may have been the only time Drago would have been an actual pan player. He
was also an avid player of wind ball cricket of which he was a quick bowler.
His homies included Winston "Coconut" Christian, Selwyn, Wally
& Errol Francis, Clyde Brown, Sonny Kent, John Grant, Irwin
"Tackie" Donavan, Teddy, Shaky, Kenneth "Heads" Baptiste,
Sonny Samuel, Daydates, Fitzroy Hamilton, Cabayo, Errol Ling, Mersey, Nasco,
Dog, Carl "Kabu" Diegoville, Peter Lamsee, Melvin Julian, Michael
Pappin, Michael "Beast" Alexander, Kenrick "Parrol"
Millington, Tookie, Tony Huggins, Roland Reshea, Johnny & Nazo Ali, Tony
"Shitty" Ali, Sonson "Bass" Chase, Fitzroy Hamilton, Aldwyn
Gilbert, Rat, Fatblack, Nasco, Elton Banfield, Mervin Garth, Garth Bonas, Ian
"Rasputin" Sealy, Owen & Renwick Clifton, Rudy & Steve Baird,
Fisher Ducky, Earl Turpin, Hollis Reece, Gregory Remy, Stalk St Hill, Bosie
Johnson, Leo Balthasa, Errol
Simon.
DRAGO THE FAMILY MAN
Kenneth had six siblings in Rita (dec) Jean (dec) Shirley, George Jr.
(dec), Lystra and Brenda. He leaves to mourn his wife, Linda and seven children
in Dennis, Karen, Kenlyn, Kevin, Keisha, Khadine and Kerlene. His grand
children include Denecia, Kidell, Delesha, Khai, Kiarra and Alisha.
He was always a caring person who was always willing to share. This is
evidenced in his willingness to pass on his craft to Wesley, his nephew,
enabling him to make stencils and print jerseys.
by Hollis John Clifton
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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