For as long as he can remember, Max has always wanted to play music.
Max was born in Trinidad in 1929 and was one of 12 kids. His dad was a headmaster, and his mum was a teacher. They lived in a large house in the capital, Port of Spain. Neither of Max's parents was in the slightest bit musical. They, like the majority of Max's siblings, were academic people. The house had a piano, and one of Max's earliest memories is reaching up to 'tinkle away' on the keys, trying to make tunes. Max could play by ear. If he heard a piece of music, he could work out how to replicate it on the piano. He didn't just love the piano. He tried every instrument he could lay his hands on, including the cornet, saxophone, and clarinet. He even had a few violin lessons.
When he left school, he started a band, The Max Cherrie Quintet, where Max played the piano. The band did well and got work at functions and local clubs.
However, Max has always wanted to travel and has intended to go to New York. However, while walking in the town, he saw the Italian passenger liner, 'Ascania', docked in the harbour. It was due to set sail for England, and Max, impatient to travel, decided to go to England first and then on to New York after.
He packed his bags and, just before he boarded, decided to take a steel drum with him. It was an impulse thing. He was a pianist and had never played the steel drum before, but he thought it might be a bit of a novelty. It was indeed a lot more portable than a piano.
When he arrived in the UK, he couldn't believe the vastness of London. It was June, so at least the weather wasn't too much of a shock for him. He got a room in Maida Vale with a friend who had already settled in London.
Max started looking around for work as a pianist. The artist, musician and impresario Boscoe Holder was taking a dance troupe to Geneva and wanted something different to accompany them. Max told him that he had a steel drum and got the job.
The only problem was that Max hadn't yet learnt to play the drum. He hadn't even touched it since boarding the boat back in Trinidad. He had just a week to know before the group left for Geneva. Fortunately, Max's ability to play by ear meant he had no problem getting acquainted with this new instrument.
