Iron Player
The engine room in a steelband is one area where one could have easily identified Ruben “Kori” Frazer; an iron man of no small standing.
He was one who was immortalised, in song by Lord Shorty, many years ago when he sang Iron Man.
“Kori” as he was affectionately known, lived at St James Street, San Fernando and distinguished himself by always wearing a long overcoat, fancy hat and strings of beads around his neck. Most of the time, he had a car iron meating out a melody, which always attracted a following.
Iron Man “Kori” played for many years with Hatters, Cavaliers and Fonclaire, and many a patron at the National Stadium from time to time, got glimpses of him when he was always beating something.
He was a very likable person and was fond of hanging out at a Restaurant and Bar at Lord Street, San Fernando.
Unfortunately, he was stabbed in the eye in an altercation on Lower High Street, San Fernando. He survived for about twenty-eight days before he sucumbed.
At his funeral crowds, from all parts of Trinidad and Tobago, with many illustrious steelbandsmen, came to pay their last respects; with Shortys’ song being the dominant melody.
The steelband world lost a patriot on the passing of this great Iron man.
© 1997 Gideon Maxime: Pg 194; PAN THROUGH THE YEARS (1952 - 1996)
