TRIBUTE TO ROY GEDDES - CELEBRATING FIFTY
YEARS OF LIFE IN STEEL PAN BY HIS EXCELLENCY BHARRAT JAGDEO
May 2nd, 2003

I am deeply honoured to be paying tribute to one of the outstanding sons of Guyana, Mr. Roy Geddes, who is celebrating fifty years of involvement in steel pan. Roy is a man of exceptional talent who has already chalked up two national awards- the Medal of Service and the Golden Arrow of Achievement- for his tireless commitment to his art. Today, Roy continues to earn encores as a steel pan tuner, leader, arranger and social worker.

Pan music has been in his blood since he was a young man and not only has Roy Geddes distinguished himself in the art of steel pan music, but he has also successfully mentored many young panists, passing on his vast knowledge of this distinctly unique West Indian musical instrument. Roy formed one of the leading steel bands in the country, the Roy Geddes Silvertones Steelband, and is respected as a skilled craftsman in the art of the art of pan tuning.

The nation is greatly indebted to Roy Geddes for his pioneering efforts in the development of pan music and for his inexhaustible commitment to keep this beautiful and special art form alive. This he has done at great personal cost. Roy Geddes is a true patriot.

On behalf of the Government of Guyana and most especially on my own behalf, I would like to extend congratulations to a true musical maestro whose name is indelibly imprinted in the history of steel pan music in Guyana.