It was a unique blend of musical royalty when members of Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove officially launched their 2012 Panorama song "Archbishop of Pan" in tribute to Dr Pat Bishop. The head table featured ace arranger Leston Paul, noted pan composer Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, and master lyricist Gergory "GB" Ballantyne.

Tears flowed like water down the cheeks of several of the people involved in the creation of the song. Composer/arranger extraordinaire "Boogsie" could not hold back the tears as his band manager Errol Skirritt explained to the media, management of Petrotrin and members of The Lydians the genesis of the song.

The ambience upstairs Chaud Restaurant on Dundonald Street, Port of Spain befitted the occasion, making it a warm and friendly one but Boogsie at one time, was unable to speak. It did not help when Gregory "GB" Ballantyne too went into a fit of tears when trying to explain how he came up with the lyrics for "Archbishop of Pan".

The players involved in this song are all icons. It was composed by Boogsie, written by GB, arranged by Leston Paul and sung by The Lydians, and produced several firsts. It was Leston Paul's first time recording a choir, it was Lydians first time doing a calypso for pan and it was Boogsie's first time using a choir to record one on his pan compositions.

Leston Paul said this song brought out the best in him at a time when he is already at a highpoint in his career. "When Boogsie came to me I felt good, thinking about the solo singer but when he told me he wanted the choir it presented a challenge as I had never worked with such large numbers at one time," said Paul.

Although GB worked with Pat and Boogsie and together they won three Steelpan Music Festival titles, he still had to go to Pat's sister Gillian to learn more about this cultural icon.

Boogsie and Pat had a musical connection and she (Pat) had always given him her approval of his compositions. This time she was not there, and he went to her "best" friend, mas great Peter Minshall.

Boogsie and Skerritt explained to Minshall that he (Boogsie) composed a song for Pat called "Bishop of Pan". And all Minshall asked was, what about the "arch"? Skerritt admitted he was lost and did not understand what Minshall was talking about. Minshall explained and that is how the song was changed to "Archbishop of Pan".

For The Lydians it was very difficult to do a song about their musical director and leader but they put aside their emotions and pulled through after several nights of recording.

Petrotrin's Acting President Khalid Hassanali spoke about the extraordinary collaboration which produced a piece of music which he was confident would transcend the Panorama arena and claim its rightful place among the classical pieces of local music.

The launch was an occasion which really celebrated excellence in music.