Last updated on Sunday, August 18, 2024, 21:06 by Writer

Dave Martins

Celebrated Guyanese singer and composer Dave Martins died on Sunday, well-informed sources confirmed.

The cultural icon turned 90 years old.

His wife, Annette Arjoon-Martins, could not immediately be reached, but a source close to the extended family said he died around 6:30 p.m. She later wrote on Facebook: “I am eternally grateful to have shared fifteen years of unconditional love, support and most importantly, a shared passion for all things Guyanese with my soulmate.”

The cause of death was initially unknown, but in recent years he suffered from dementia.

Despite a fall at his home in Oleander Gardens and cognitive decline, Dave continued to move around the garden, stayed connected to nature, and was always ready to chat with visitors.

Dave Martins and The Tradewinds were a household name, especially in the 1980s, when he composed and sang “Not A Blade of Grass,” which mobilized Guyanese across the border against Venezuela’s persistent claim to the Essequibo region. “Not A Blade Of Grass” is considered in many circles to be the unofficial national anthem of Guyana and has remained an evergreen for generations.

In the Stabroek News column of June 30, 2014, Dave wrote: “‘Not a Blade of Grass’ was a 3-minute song I wrote in a matter of hours out of a bright idea as a patriotic song about the love of country. That’s how it became popular and 34 years later Guyanese people still sing it with me with great fervor.”

His other songs include “Honeymooning Couple”, “Cricket in the Jungle”, “Civilisation”, “It’s Traditional”, “Copycats”, “Guyana Coming Back”, “Wong Ping” and “West Indian Alphabet”.

In 2022, the University of Guyana awarded him an honorary doctorate in literature.

President Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton paid tribute to Dave, a former resident of Canada and the Cayman Islands.

President Ali’s statement reads:

An icon of Caribbean identity

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a true Caribbean icon: Dave Martins, whose music defined the heartbeat of our region. As bandleader of the Tradewinds band, Dave captured the essence of the Caribbean spirit and identity, blending joyful rhythms with biting satire that touched 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, is a powerful statement of our nation’s collective resistance to threats to our sovereignty and territorial integrity. In our moments of challenge, it was Dave’s music that lifted our spirits and reminded us of the strength and resilience we possess as a people and our duty to never give up an inch of our territory.

Dave Martins was more than just a musician; he was a true Caribbean man whose influence reached beyond borders and touched the lives of countless people throughout the region. His loss is deeply felt not only in Guyana, but throughout the Caribbean and our diaspora.

Whenever his music is played, no matter where you are, it evokes a deep sense of pride in being a Caribbean person. The rhythms and melodies carry the essence of our shared heritage and remind us of who we are and where we come from. Dave Martins’ music connects us to our roots and fills us with a deep love for our Caribbean identity.

I am convinced that his music will live on even though he is gone. Guyana and the Caribbean may be 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 Caribbean culture. Dave Martins will be greatly missed, but his spirit will forever resonate in the rhythms of our Caribbean identity.

I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wife Annette, his family, his friends and his large fan base.

Opposition leader Norton said Demerara Waves Online News:
“It’s a great loss for Guyana. He’s one of our cultural icons and one of the men who put a lot of Guyanese culture into music and wherever you were in the world you could identify with it and be proud of it.

I just hope we can have more of him.

Please allow me to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends, etc.

The death of Dave Martins is a great loss for Guyana.