Rainbow Steel Band - One of the Oldest Steelbands in the UK

May 11

May 11 Rainbow Steel Band - One of the Oldest Steelbands in the UK

Barbados All Stars: The Beginning of Their Journey

In the 1950s, a pioneering group of Barbadian musicians, led by Hallam Ifill, formed the Barbados All Stars in Bath, England. They brought the joyous sounds of the Caribbean to the UK, introducing the vibrant rhythms of the Steel Pans to new audiences and laying the foundation for a lasting cultural presence.

Their captivating performances quickly gained attention, and as interest grew, younger musicians like Toussaint Clarke, who joined as a teenager, were welcomed into the ensemble. The Barbados All Stars did more than just entertain; they served as a crucial cultural bridge between Caribbean traditions and British society during a period of significant change and migration.

Over the years, as original members began to return to the Caribbean or retire, the group's future became uncertain. However, their rich legacy endured, evolving into a new generation of pan players and a new identity: the Rainbow Steel Band. The spirit of the Barbados All Stars continues to resonate through the vibrant steel pan music enjoyed in the UK today.

Rainbow Steel Band at Notting Hill Carnival 2025.

Rainbow Steel Band: A Legacy Reimagined

Emerging in the wake of the Barbados All Stars, the Rainbow Steel Band was founded by Hallam Ifill and Toussaint Clarke to continue and evolve the tradition of steel pan music in Bath. With fresh members and a new name, the band quickly grew into a celebrated ensemble known for its talent, creativity, and community roots.

Hallam Ifill - Founder of Barbados All Stars and Rainbow Steel Band.

By the 1980s, Rainbow had become one of the most recognised steel bands in the UK. In 1984, they returned to Barbados for a major performance tour, celebrating their heritage and sharing their unique sound internationally.

In 1992, the band reached a new musical peak when Earl Rodney—a Trinidadian pan maestro often called “The Grandfather of Steel Pan”—joined Rainbow. His influence brought richer arrangements, new compositions, and a dynamic performance style.

Meanwhile, Toussaint Clarke became an essential force in the UK steel pan scene. Having started playing at age 11 and tuning pans by 12, he developed into one of the country’s top pan tuners and educators. He remains deeply involved in Rainbow’s success and the wider steel pan community, including the UK Steelpan Tuners Guild where he holds the office of Vice-Chairman.

Rainbow collecting their Award at the British Association of Steelbands Annual Awards!

Rainbow Steel Band has performed for Royalty, toured across Europe and the Caribbean, and inspired generations of players. In 2007, to mark their 50th anniversary, they collaborated with Bath & North East Somerset Council and the REC to launch "50 Glorious Years – From Barbados to Bath", a photographic exhibition and documentary DVD funded by the Heritage Lottery.