The four members of the Burning Flames Band – Clarence Edwards, Toriano Edwards, David Edwards and Rone Watkins – were special guests of the Cabinet on Wednesday.
The Burning Flames are celebrating the forty-year anniversary of their Carnival hits; Stylie Tight and Go Go, which introduced them to Antigua and Barbuda and to Carnival back in May 1985.
At the meeting with the Cabinet, the band members were presented with their official Antigua and Barbuda Diplomatic Passports. They were also informed that the recommendation for them to receive knighthood has been made on their behalf and that it is likely to be conferred during Independence celebrations on November 1st this year.
Members of the Cabinet all congratulated the Burning Flames individually, praising them for their longevity and the incredible impact they have had on Antigua and Barbuda popular music and its impact on the music of the rest of the Caribbean.
Burning Flames music has influenced top Caribbean artists such as Machel Montano and bands such as 17-Plus and here at home bands such as LA Crew and Vision often sang the praises of the Flames for setting the standards for them to follow.
Cabinet urged the band to look at ways that they can instill the passion and the creativity in younger musicians so that the ‘Burning Flames’ and the music will continue for another forty years.
Just last week, the Burning Flames performed at CARIFESTA 15 in Barbados and from reports coming out of Bridgetown they gave a performance they will be talked about for many years to come.
