One of the founders and lead members of the legendary local band the Bermuda Strollers, Ted Ming, passed away on September 8, 2021.
TNN’s Trevor Lindsay recently spoke with one of the band’s drummers, Dexter Dillas, who joined the band after they were already an established name both locally and internationally.
“ One of the highlights [during my time with the band] was travelling to Boston in promoting college season and receiving a proclamation of a “Bermuda Strollers Day” in Boston by the then-Governor of Massachusetts [and eventual Presidential nominee] Michael Dukakis,” Mr. Dillas said.
According to him, all the other members of the band used to joking refer to the late Mr. Ming as “ Mr. Entertainer,” because of his ability to almost immediately get the crowd going whenever he was on stage.
Mr. Dillas does not believe that Bermuda will ever return to “the glory days”, when bands like the Stroller Boys, the Talbot Brothers and the Steel Pan band were a vital part of the island’s cultural landscape and identity, but will always cherish those memories.
“ [Performing during college kids’ week, including the always-popular Booze Cruise], was a blast,” he said. “ They had the wet t-shirt contests, we performed some of our favorite songs, and it was enormously popular for college kids who came to visit from the U.S.”
Mr. Dillas sends his sincerest condolences to Mr. Ming’s family and friends during this difficult time, and is very disappointed that Mr. Ming did not get a chance to hear Mr. Dillas’ first single.
“ Ted never knew me as a writer, only as a drummer, so I wish to have the honor of playing the single at his funeral in dedication of him, if the family chooses to.
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