The good old days...

R.Prashanth Vidyasagar

Singaporean Joseph Clement Pereira's love for the erstwhile Indian music scene prompted him to create a FB page that is dedicated to all the bands and singers based out of India during the Sixties and later. ‘My fascination stems from my late teens when my cousin who studied in India between 1966 and 1972 told me about the Indian music scene. That was the days of Junior Statesmen. He told me about the all India band contest that a tobacco company sponsored called Simla Beat. They had heats in major cities and for the finals the bands played in either Delhi or Bombay. This was all very fascinating for me because I knew only the Singapore scene’ tells Pereira. Wanting to bring back the memories, about the people involved and the then scene inspired Joseph to start India Sixties and Beyond Music. Here are some interesting pics I found on the page.

When Rahman was Dileep

 This picture was taken on the terrace outside the practice pad (in Chennai) while we were rehearsing for 2 gigs in Chennai and Bangalore with L.Shankars band “Epidemics, it was around 86-87.And that is Dileep with me, he had not yet changed his life and name to ARR. He was the key boardist of our band ‘Roots’. The lineup was Dileep (keys) Sivamani (drums) Jojo (Bass) L.Shankar (Violin) Caroline (Vocals) and me on Guitar. The concert in Bangalore was in Chowdiah Hall and 2 days later in Chennai at YMCA grounds.- John Antony.

The founding fathers of the Bangalore music scene

All heavyweights from the Bangalore scene. Jude Gonsalves (bass guitar), Vincent Lobo (vocals), Ronnie Johnson (vocals). Ronnie Johnson passed away on January 5, 2013 in Bangalore.

A very young Remo Fernandes and band in 1970

Pic Credit- Remo Fernandes

I formed this group called "The Beat 4" when I was in high school in Goa. I played lead guitar and sang. I also composed our originals, the first one at age 14. We won 1st Prizes at most contests in Goa: for best group, best lead guitarist, best vocalist, best original composition, best drummer... This was "The Beat 4 Farewell Show", as I was disbanding the group because I was leaving for Mumbai to study architecture. (In this pic I'm second from the left, i.e. next to the drummer). I think it was in 1970. I was 17. Or it could have been in 1969, in which case I was 16. - Remo Fernandes

The Devils from Bangalore

 The Devil Beats started out as a small Rock and Roll group as all groups started off with the turn of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dave Clarke 5, and one can go on and on. In the year 1963, the Devil Beats were formed by my brother Ronnie Rikh and his friends. So, with whatever meager gear they had then, the group assiduously practiced and practiced and were appreciated by those that heard them ---- either at the Bangalore Club or the Catholic Club. I joined them later in 1965.  The Devil Beats comprised ---- Allan Fintzel, Romaine Hayes, Chippy Briggs and Ronnie Rikh. Allan played 'bass'. Romaine just stood and 'sang'. Chippy and Ronnie played guitar. The fare was pretty much Beatles songs. Later, the band diversified ---- doing instrumentals as well as vocals. So, the repertoire was The Shadows and Ventures coupled with stuff we'd 'arrange'. Vocals do embraced the Swinging Blue Jeans, Rolling Stones and other artists of that time. – Gussy Rikh

Devil Beats perform at BUS club, Bangalore, 31 December 1968 (Pic Credit- Gussy Rikh)

The happy hippy

Eight Finger Eddie at Anjuna Beach Party in Goa

Eight finger Eddie (Yertward Mazmanian) was an Armenian-American who came to Goa in early 60’s, he was a hippie-spirituality-seeker. He was known as Eight-finger Eddie because he was born with two fingers missing from one hand. He established the famous flea-market in Anjuna, North Goa, which became a Mecca for hippies throughout the world and put Anjuna beach on the world map. A great storyteller, Eddie died in 2010, at age 85.

The Carol Singers

Neophialliacs was an Allahabad based band, we started as a carol singing band and then formed the band. First performance was in 1969. We were together as a band for about 5 years or so and disbanded. Didn’t have much western bands back then, it was more of Anglo Indians and British influenced bands. We used to sing songs by Shadows, Ventures and Tom Jones etc. – Sanjeeb Sircar.

This is a pic of them performing in 1974. From left to right: Ernest Egbert, Elizabeth Gorden, Vijay Benedict, Malcolm Searchfield, Sanjeeb Sircar and Bruce Drummond

Photo courtesy of Sanjeeb Sircar

On a musical journey

The Pilgrims a band formed by Radha Krishnan when he started his studies in Loyola. This pic is of them performing at Jaycee Night on 2nd August 1971.

Pic credit Radha Krishnan

The deadly duo

A picture of Sandhya Sanjana accompanied by Ronnie Desai for a duet act. The venue or the date is not known.

Pic Credit Ronnie Desai

The void from the 70’s

Void was Gussy Rikh’s second band. Formed by two brothers I was graciously inducted. This in 1971. The Bangalore club and Catholic club welcomed the band! Void comprised of Fiaz Ahmed bass; Sudhir Rao ---- drums; Ravi Rao ---- vocals and guitar and myself on guitar. The band covered Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Cream, Janis Joplin, Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix and Mathews Southern Comfort. – Gussy Rikh

Pic Credit – Gussy Rikh

When Bollywood met the band

Madras based band Frustration Amalgamated were the winners of the 5th All India Simla Beat Contest, which was held in 1972 at Shanmukhananda Hall, Bombay. Jaya Bhaduri gave away the awards to the winners, seen in the pic is the frontman of the band Frustration Amalgamated with Jaya Bhaduri.

The Magnetos from Manipur

Northeast is known for its gifted musicians and a land filled with music lovers. This pic is of the band Magnetos that was headed by Lienchungnung Gangte performing at the governor’s residence in 1971. Photo courtesy of Nirjeet Chakpram