The Gaylords (Dominican band)
| Company type | Music ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, entertainment |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Dominica |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Gaylords Power Union of Dominica was a well-known Carnival ensemble that operated between 1966 and 1974.
Members
The original lineup featured Greg 'Breaker' Bannis (lead singer, later recognized as Billy Brown), Clayton 'Baby Julie' Guiste (who subsequently joined the New Serenaders Band), Crispin Seaman, Dennis Joseph, and Tony 'Bingo' Henderson. Subsequent additions to the group included Alwin 'Cocky' Polydore, Lionel Pinard, Eden 'Presley' Richardson, Lewis 'Double L' Lestrade, Fitzroy 'Fat Cap' Williams (who later became part of Exile One), keyboardist Starret Francois, Archie Francis, Walter Cooke, and Julian Gibson. Eventually, the band took on the name Gaylords Power Union. Starret Francois passed away in 2008 in the United Kingdom; Alwin Polydore died in 2016; Clayton Guiste passed in 2019. Management during their 2003 World Creole Music Festival appearance and 2004 U.S. tour was handled by Earl Lawrence, a retired IRS agent and entrepreneur.
Recordings
Their discography includes three albums: Love, Peace and the Caribbean (WIRL, 1972), Karybian Explosion (Antillana, 1970), and To Dominica with Love (Antillana, 1969). In addition, they released multiple singles such as the popular track "Hit Me With Music." The majority of their songs were original compositions mainly authored by Dennis Joseph ("Reggae Symphony," "Dreams of Africa") and Clayton Guiste ("I Man Suffering"). Other contributors included Walter Cooke ("Reflections, Part1"), Greg Bannis ("Unforgettable Susan"), Crispin Seaman ("Sugar Cane Fields"), Fitzroy Williams ("Hit Me With Music"), along with collaborative efforts on "Femme Marie," "Ma John," "Lovely Dominica," and "I'm Going Home" alongside Chris Seraphine.
Tours
The group performed widely throughout the Caribbean, appearing at hotels in locations such as Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, and the Virgin Islands. They shared stages with renowned musicians including Jimmy Cliff, Mighty Sparrow, and American artist Clarence Carter. Their reach extended to North America in 1971 with concerts in Brooklyn, New York City—where they reunited for a nostalgic show in 2004—and Montreal, Canada.
In 1973, their touring expanded to the United Kingdom as part of the "1,000 Volts of Holt Tour" alongside John Holt, including a performance in Edmonton with Bob Marley. During this era, they re-recorded "Hit Me With Music" under the Spark label, produced by Dave Clark from the Dave Clark Five. After a follow-up UK tour in 1974, the band dissolved when founding member Greg Bannis embarked on a solo path. The Gaylords briefly reunited in 2003 for a special appearance at Dominica's World Creole Festival.