The late Leslie “ Lecco ” deCastro

On Friday December 21, the opening night of Fungi Fest, his widow Iris deCastro accepted a plaque from the Virgin Islands Fungi Fest Committee in recognition of his sterling contribution to the art form.

Recounting her husband’s life, Iris said her husband believed that it was of prime importance to keep fungi and Steelband music alive and in 1988, despite his physical limitations; he started to canvass the various villages to ‘whip up’ support for a musical revival.

“He believed that the young people needed more exposure to the local music to divert their attention from disco, rap and the American influence,” she stated.

Filled with this belief, deCastro along with his many supporters began staging an annual Christmas Fungi band fiesta as well as a Steel band show in an effort to rekindle the art.

“My husband loved the art and although he did not enjoy good health, he pressed on with the help of government, his committee and other supporters,” Iris said.

She added that her husband was also keen on encouraging international exposure for locals and was instrumental in arranging the Shooting Star Steel Orchestra’s trip to Europe .

Paying tribute to her husband, she said he often stated that although based on the drums of West Africa , BVIslanders may credit themselves with the art because through their efforts, determination and ability, they were able to develop it and label it Fungi.

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