Guyanese cultural, musical and literary icon, the legendary Dave Martins passed away yesterday at the age of 90.
His wife Annette Arjoon Martins last evening posted on her Facebook page that she was “eternally grateful to have shared fifteen years of unconditional love, support and especially shared passions for everything Guyanese with my soul mate.”
Tributes poured in online for the man whose lyrics have made indelible memories for Guyanese and people across the Caribbean.
President Irfaan Ali expressed sadness at Martins’ passing as he reflected in a Facebook post, on the man he believes was “a true Caribbean icon”.
Stating that Dave Martins’ music was “the heartbeat of our region,” the President said, “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.
“‘Not a Blade of Grass’, his timeless anthem, stands as a powerful statement to our nation’s collective resistance against threats to our sovereignty and territorial integrity. In our moments of challenges, it was Dave’s music that lifted our spirits, reminding us of the strength and resilience we hold as a people and our duty never to surrender an inch of our territory. 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.”
According to the President’s message of condolence, Martins’ loss is deeply felt, not only in Guyana but throughout the entire Caribbean and in the diaspora.
“Whenever his music plays, no matter where you are, it stirs a deep sense of pride in being a Caribbean person. The rhythms and melodies carry the essence of our shared heritage, reminding us of who we are and where we come from. Dave Martins’ music connects us to our roots and fills us with a profound love for our Caribbean identity,” Ali expressed.
“I am confident that while he has passed on, his music will live on. Guyana and the Caribbean are indeed poorer for his passing, but we are infinitely richer for having had the privilege of experiencing his art, his passion, and his deep love for our country and the culture of the Caribbean. Dave Martins will be dearly missed, but his spirit will forever resonate in the rhythms of our Caribbean identity,” he added.
He extended condolences to Martins’ wife, Annette, and to his family.
Veteran journalist Enrico Woolford who covered Martins’ work over the years expressed thanks “for his significant contribution to the creative sector, the national music mosaic and the Caribbean.”
In April this year, arts critic Al Creighton had dedicated a column to Martins in the Stabroek News, on the celebration of his 90th birthday.
“Such is the life-force, the relevance and national importance of Martins’ music to the popular culture and consciousness that it reverberated on the airwaves as well as on the lips and in the memory of the Guyanese population late in 2023 when the nation rallied its people in a patriotic stand against Venezuelan sabre rattling and other forms of recent aggression in its outrageous claim to Guyanese territory,” he wrote.
“That is because a few of Martins’ most popular songs appeal directly to what the writer himself calls ‘the love of country’. Guyana immediately remembered ‘Is We Own’ and the immortal hit ‘Not A Blade of Grass’, which came to be hailed as Guyana’s unofficial second national anthem. Such songs lend themselves to a sense of patriotism and national identity, making up a great part of the reason why the nation celebrates Dave Martins – the prevailing and unstinting power of his contributions to national music and literature.”
He highlighted and praised Martins’ achievements, pointing out that he was able to connect to and entertain Caribbean folk through his storytelling music.
“The Caribbean celebrates a highly talented and fabled personage on the occasion of his 90th birthday. He has given gifts to Guyana and the region that are not bound by time, just as his songs have overcome temporal limitations and have kept the impact of those gifts alive in the present time,” Creighton said.
