For 80 years, The Hells Gate Steel Orchestra has prided itself in maintaining it's Antiguan Identity. The band began in "The Point" in 1945 as an organized Iron Band, and was called "Hells Gate" by residents, because of the noise produced from the instruments which at the time were Biscuit Cans, Metal Pipes, old Car Wheels, Brake Drums & Clutch Housings obtained from Townsend’s Blacksmith Shop. This sounded like the "Gates of Hell" opening up to the residents of The Point. The Pioneers of the Orchestra were Eustace “Manning” Henry, Joseph “Jelico” Benjamin, Eugene Weston, Thomas Daniel, Alexander “Elick” Roberts, George “Nugget” Joseph, Reginald “Reggie” Henry, Cecil “Spoiler” Phillip, Ivan “Jim Jones” Edwards, George Williams, Alfonso Phillip, and Joseph Townsend.

 

In 1946, transformation of the Oil Drum to the Steelpan was done locally at Townsend’s Blacksmith Shop located on Mariner's Lane. Joseph “Jelico” Benjamin was the first to perform a complete melody line on the Steelpan. The name of the song was, “Drive Away The Bee Shoo”, composed by Clem Stevens of The Point .  First Pan Builders of the band were Eustace Henry, Alexander Roberts, Joseph Benjamin and Cecil Phillip.

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The first ever Antigua National Steel Pan Competition (Panorama) was held in 1949. The members brainstormed for a name for the band. After a few names which were synonymous to Antigua were suggested, the members unanimously agreed on the name “Hells Gate”, which was submitted by Eustace “Manning” Henry. The band won with the tune "Peanut Vendor." Hells Gate has gone on to win 24 Panorama Championships to date. Hells Gate was the first to perform in a church in 1950 at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Parham Town, Antigua, and was also the first steel band to record on wax in 1952. The Orchestra has performed for many notable dignitaries over the years, including for Sir Winston Churchill aboard his Yacht 'The Christina' on February 2nd, 1962. There are many places that the band has toured, such as : U.S.A, Canada, Aruba, Haiti, Guyana, West Germany, Trinidad, Barbados, U.S. Virgin Islands, Korea, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Mexico, British Virgin Islands, Venezuela, and the U.K.

 

Eustace “Manning” Henry, the extraordinary Pioneer, Pan Builder, Player, Mentor and Leader, stayed in Antigua to ensure the band and the artform survived when most of his colleagues migrated to North America & Europe in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Today because of his dedication, Hells Gate has gone on to become the top steelband on the island comprised of members of various ages, practicing & performing a repertoire of Calypso, Jazz, Reggae, Classical, R & B , Pop and Contemporary Genres all year round for Concerts, Cultural Tours , Music Festivals, Corporate Functions, Hotels, Weddings, and Private Parties.

 

In 2002, the band opened The Eustace “Manning” Henry Steelpan Academy to teach the artform to the next generation of players and arrangers.

 

The Hells Gate Steel Orchestra has represented Antigua on many occasions, notably at The 1964 World's Fair in New York City. Recently, the band represented Antigua at the 2024 edition of the Drums of Alba Music Festival held in Venezuela.

 

On November 1st 2020, The Government of Antigua & Barbuda bestowed the award of National Institution in The Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage (Gold) to the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra for keeping the cultural artform of the Steelpan alive for 75 consecutive years.