Guyana’s Music Legend Dave Martins has died. He was 90 years old.
Martins’ wife Annette Arjoon-Martins announced his death yesterday via social media
“Eternally grateful to have shared fifteen years of unconditional love, support and especially shared passions for everything Guyanese with my soulmate,” Arjoon-Martins wrote on Facebook.
Dave Martins and The Tradewinds was a household name especially in the 1980s when he composed and sang ‘Not A Blade of Grass’ which had mobilized Guyanese across the divide against Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo Region
His other songs include “Honeymooning Couple”, “Cricket in the Jungle”, “Civilization”, “It’s Traditional”, “Copycats”, “Guyana Coming Back”, “Wong Ping”, and West Indian Alphabet”.
In 2022, the University of Guyana conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters
In a condolence message, Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a true Caribbean icon, Dave Martins, whose music was the heartbeat of our region. As the leader of the Tradewinds band, Dave captured the essence of the Caribbean spirit and its identity, blending upbeat rhythms with biting satire that spoke to our hearts and minds. His music not only invited us to laugh at ourselves but also encouraged us to stand tall and be proud of our Guyanese and Caribbean heritage.”
“Dave Martins was more than just a musician; he was a true Caribbean person whose influence extended beyond borders, touching the lives of countless individuals across the region. His loss is deeply felt, not only in Guyana but throughout the entire Caribbean and in our diaspora.”
Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton hailed Martins as a musical genius, cultural icon and true Guyanese patriot. “It’s a great loss to Guyana. He is one of our cultural icons and one of the men who took a lot of Guyanese culture and put it into music and wherever you went in the world, you could have related to it and be proud of it.” He wrote.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Martins. His contributions to music, culture, and the community have left an indelible mark. Dave’s talent, passion, dedication and patriotism were truly inspiring, and his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. During this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
