Simla Beat
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1968-69 was the year Beat Groups were at it's peak in Mumbai with bands like the Savages , Mystiks, Combustibles, Silencers, Trojans and Beat 4 ruling the roost. At that time Madhu Chandra Dhas (later a member of Atomic Forest & Jesus Christ Superstar) came to Mumbai looking for a job and with the intention of forming a band. He happened to meet me and due to our similarities in music we decided to form a Group called the BURNING ICE.
After having performed a few shows, we decided to enter the Simla Beat Contest 1970 as we didn't have much to do then & shows were difficult to come by. Madhu got the Best Vocalist Award for Mumbai 1970 but groupwise we were nothing great. There were better bands performing then & we had tough competition.
At that time, Michael D'Souza the keyboardist of VELVETTE FOGG asked me if I'd be keen to join as the rhythm guitarist for VELVETTE FOGG as they were regrouping with new members. I immediately jumped at the opportunity as Burning Ice as a band was going nowhere. I then spoke to Madhu & decided to part ways amicably.
Having joined VF our main aim was competing in the SIMLA BEAT CONTEST 71. Nandu Bhende who was the Band leader wanted to revamp the entire original VF band that was initially formed by him. The revamped VF was Wilfred (Willy) on Lead Guitar, David Ezekiel (Nandu's Cousin) on Bass ,Michael D'SOUZA on keyboards,Jamil Sheikh on drums, Nandu Bhende on vocals and me on the rhythm guitar & backing vocals.
The REVAMPED VELVETTE FOGG was formed & it was intense practice for more than 6 months after which we entered the Simla Beat Contest 71' in Mumbai. Our target was to get into the ALL INDIA FINALS which could be done by winning in Bombay. The Finals of SBC was held in Mumbai at the Shanmukananda Hall. The winners of Bangalore/Madras/Delhi/Assam/Pune/Calcutta & Goa would compete with each other in the finals. I still remember that one months practice we had. We would assemble at 10 am in the morning at Michael's house in Bombay Central and practice till 9/10pm in the night!
After having performed a few shows, we decided to enter the Simla Beat Contest 1970 as we didn't have much to do then & shows were difficult to come by. Madhu got the Best Vocalist Award for Mumbai 1970 but groupwise we were nothing great. There were better bands performing then & we had tough competition.
At that time, Michael D'Souza the keyboardist of VELVETTE FOGG asked me if I'd be keen to join as the rhythm guitarist for VELVETTE FOGG as they were regrouping with new members. I immediately jumped at the opportunity as Burning Ice as a band was going nowhere. I then spoke to Madhu & decided to part ways amicably.
Having joined VF our main aim was competing in the SIMLA BEAT CONTEST 71. Nandu Bhende who was the Band leader wanted to revamp the entire original VF band that was initially formed by him. The revamped VF was Wilfred (Willy) on Lead Guitar, David Ezekiel (Nandu's Cousin) on Bass ,Michael D'SOUZA on keyboards,Jamil Sheikh on drums, Nandu Bhende on vocals and me on the rhythm guitar & backing vocals.
The REVAMPED VELVETTE FOGG was formed & it was intense practice for more than 6 months after which we entered the Simla Beat Contest 71' in Mumbai. Our target was to get into the ALL INDIA FINALS which could be done by winning in Bombay. The Finals of SBC was held in Mumbai at the Shanmukananda Hall. The winners of Bangalore/Madras/Delhi/Assam/Pune/Calcutta & Goa would compete with each other in the finals. I still remember that one months practice we had. We would assemble at 10 am in the morning at Michael's house in Bombay Central and practice till 9/10pm in the night!
Finally the day of the finals arrived & we won the 1st Runner up. We had tears in our eyes. Our PA system faulted and everyone said that if the System wouldn't have let us down , we would have won the competition. Musically we were the Best. But as the saying goes ‘You can't win them all!’
Written by
Babu Banerji
Comments
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