1950s

1950

• Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band Association (TTSBA) was formed
• 'Pan around the neck' was introduced to enable steelbands to become mobile
• Dr Sydney Northcote from England was invited to Trinidad as a judge for the Trinidad Music Festival 
• 'Ping Pong' - the first play about the steelband was broadcast on BBC radio in the UK 

1951

• The first recognised all female steelband was formed, Trinidad
• TASPO perfomed at the Festival of Britain

1952

• Steelband music was introduced into the Music Festival

1953

• To date there were only single pans
• Double tenors were introduced

1954

• Guitar pans were introduced

1955

• An architectural competion was launched for the design of a new Concert Hall (Queen'sHall) to host the Music Festival
• The All Caribbean Steelband was formed in Liverpool by Harold Adolphus Phillips, better known as Lord Woodbine
• Rainbow Steelband (Bath) was formed

1956

• 55 gallon oil drums were used to make bass pans
• Harmonic tuning was recognised

1957

• 4ths and 5ths tenor pan was introduced

1958

• Triple cellos were introduced
• A pre-carnival show was introduced to the Trinidad carnival
• The first pre-carnival steelband competition was held at the Queen's Park Savannah

1959

• The first London carnival was held
• The Queen's Hall in Trinidad was opened
• Stick fighting and Tamboo Bamboo were intruduced into the pre-carnival show, Trinidad