For at least five years, from 1968 to 1972, a cigarette company in India sponsored a nationwide battle-of-the-bands competition.
In 1970 and 1971, the winners went to Calcutta to record for compilations called Simla Beat. One LP was released each year, with no info about the bands other than their hometown. In 1970 Simla Beat also released this 45 with two of the better tracks from that years album, and some florid liner notes on the back of the sleeve:
When I first read about Simla beat around 2002, some people commented that the recordings must have come from somewhere other than India, or that this was a hoax. However, it is now known that these are authentic Indian bands. It’s true that some groups have a similar sound, though this could be from sharing a studio and perhaps some instruments as well. Also, the bands lean heavily on American rock of the time and show very little British influence.
The Confusions from Madras cut this amazing original, “Voice from the Inner Soul”. It has a tough, heavy sound with a rudimentary beat, sharp bluesy guitar fills, and an organ sound right out of 1966.
I only know one name from the Confusions: Bala Ravi was lead vocalist.
The Dinosaurs, from Bangalore, contribute a fine cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Sinister Purpose”, giving Fogerty writing credit. This one has fine fuzz guitar and gravely vocals. I’d say it surpasses the original!
The Dinosaurs included Terence Michael on drums and Roy Letchu on guitar and vocals. In 1971 they released a single on His Master’s Voice NE. 1012, “Dream Walking Mary” / “It’s A Dog Eat Dog World”, both originals by Letchu, with R.H. Outerbridge contributing the lyrics to “It’s a Dog Eat Dog World”.
My research so far turns up no other information about the groups on these releases. Hopefully people associated with these bands will come forward and fill us in on their stories.
Hi
Yes, I remember the Silencers in Madras in the late 60s. They were the hottest band around, and their star was Frankie, who used to do drum solos, the highpoint being a blindfolded drum solo
What did he do after that? Where is he now?
yup i remember that ! the others were leo lawrence and desmond d sa who sang like tom jones . frankie was a whiz kid
Hi Mehru
not sure if we met all those many years ago. I travelled with the
Silences in 69-71. I played giutar when Lawrence was too drunk and DJ at the clubs they got contracts to playing in delhi Cage, Wheels think their managers name was Peter. I was fresh out of school. It was the best time. If u have seen the Movie Spinal Tap, I have actually
lived parts of that movie. The Yoko Onos, the fights . I introduced Desi Dsa to them we played at the Stay Longer Hotel In B’lore. Later Glen joined as lead singer .
I was a kid of 8 years when my parents took me to see the Simla Beat Contests 70/71. If I remember correctly, they were held in SHANMUKHANANDA HALL in Bombay, a famous place for dramas, concerts, recitals at that time.
In those days, India was starved for music. It was very hard to get Passports or USD for travel. There was only one show on the radio playing English music for an hour a week, and that was mostly pathetic pop ( Carpenters, Anka, Denver for example).
Most music trickled down into India via Cassettes smuggled in by “My friends’s girlfriend who is an airhostess with AIR INDIA”
Hence a chance to hear Psych, Rock was a godsend.
This was my first exposure to the likes of CCR, Cream though I didnt know those names then and only realised 10 years later that Bayou was originally sung by CCR.
My dad got hold of the LPs of Simla Beat Contest and we recorded them on our spool player. I remember listening to them very often ( Along with our recording of Woodstock)
Recently, there was a tune playing over and over in my head and I realised I first heard it on the Simla Beat Contest LPs. I obtained the recording and I was immediately transported into my childhood.
There it was, a raw recording of young kids, with their very live feeling, you can make out that the recording is not the greatest ( Its noisy and not well balanced) , the singing is slightly out of tune sometimes, but its pure raw live music. You can feel you are right there with the band in a practice session
In many ways, Simla Beat contest was one of the reasons why I purchased a Guitar when I was 15 and have spend the last 30 years trying to play it !!!!
What do you mean? Most of the good records would be avalable at Rhythm House and all the latest hits would play on the BBC. All you needed was a radio with the SW/MW wave. That’s what my dad and his friends used to do to get more international music. He was a regular listener to Top of the Pops, Radio Caroline etc.
Dear Friends,
I have been curious about the Indian music scene. I was born in Malaysia and brought to Singapore. My parents were of Indian origin. I had a cousin who studied there between 1965 and 1972 and he told me about the scene there and about Indian bands.
My wife’s cousin was in a band in India called Silencers. He was the drummer and his name was Frankie Suppiah. He was in a band called X-periments and his father decided to send him to India in 1969 so that he could look after the family business in India and do his university education there. He went on a condition. His father had to provide him with a couple of band instruments. They shipped a container.
Frankie went with three other Singaporeans which made for a complete band. They performed in Madras and made a sensation because of their equipment. A guitar player with a band called Devil Beats who I met in New Delhi in 2002 told me about being at that concert. The curtain parted and they were playing White Room. That was weird enough but what caught his eye was their equipment. Ludwig drum set, Fender amps and Fender guitars. That was really far out. No one in India at that time had access to that sort of equipment. Silencers played New Delhi after that and was featured in some Indian films of that time. Maybe providing soundtrack. I have tried talking to my wife’s cousin to get more details about his band in India but he is reluctant to talk.
Regards.
Joseph.C.Pereira
I remember the Silencers in New Delhi 1970. They played at a disco called The Cage. Then after that at Wheels at the Imperial Hotel. I knew them at that time. What a great band!
Hi Guys
I went on tour with the Silencers in early 70’s. they played at the Stay longer Hotel In Bangalore. I introduce desi dsa to the band. later
they played in the Cage and Wheels in Delhi. I left to go to college in ’71.
there was Leo, Lawrence, Frankie, Viji (genius on key boards) and Glen(lead singer) I think he moved to Germany. I forget the Bass players name.
“Those were the days my friend” I remember going to Cellars in Delhi to hear Human Bondage. A friend of mine from school (lovedale) was youring with Human Bondage . Shyam Talreja.
If any one has seen the Movie Spinal Tap, I have lived it. I would not trade that year for anything. If any one has any news of the persons I have mentioned pls let me know. I lost track after ’72.
best wishes
Micky
hemant rao passed away recently
Hell yeah, i was shocked as hell, when my uncle told me that there was a whole bunch of Indian garage bands back then! the scene had been stagnant since the late 80s till the early 2000s (lot of amazing bands coming out now, but that’s a different story). And yeah, access to non-commercial music in India is virtually non-existent. Psych, hard rock, punk, all we could get thanks to our uncles who would come from abroad.
Oh yeah, the very first “punk rocker” group came from Gujarat (which is where most of the Indians living abroad hail from), called The Raj Put Down. I hope and pray someone else from the scene back then, could shed some light upon this band. I’m guessing late 70s…….
Oh by the way, my band’s gonna cover “Voice From The Inner Soul”, whatta fuckin’ song! It’s time for Generation Y of India to learn about our great rock n’ roll heritage :).
Hey Chas! Thanks for raking up the past! I have some vague memories of this. Was too young to have been for any of the shows, but my cousin’s band featured in one of the albums. They were called ‘The Gurus’ and that album also featured an original gem by another very seminal rock band from Calcutta, ‘Great Bear’. Can’t remember the names of their songs… Calcutta at that time had a very vibrant rock music scene with almost all the restaurants on Park Street featuring live music that included rock, jazz (Louis Banks, Braz Gonsalves, Pam Crain…), pop (Usha Uthup, previously Iyer), and Hindi/Bangla filmi pop. I believe the scene had moved way beyond garage band genre. I think the finals were once held in Calcutta at Kala Mandir which no longer permits rock music shows! In fact, apart from restaurants (and NOT pubs as it is today!), rock concerts were regularly held in auditoriums. The concept of college fests featuring live bands had yet to arrive.
“Great Bear’ in a later avatar and a slightly different line-up became ‘High’ in the late 70s and early 80s with the late, great Dilip Balakrishnan at the helm. Saregama early this year (2009) released a remastered compilation of some their songs on CD and it is available in music stores in Calcutta but not sure about other places. It’s called “High Again” and I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to know the shape of early original Indian rock music in English. It’s kick-ass stuff!
There was even a JS-Cordel Beat Contest which became the successor to Simla Beat. JS being that pioneering, but now defunct, youth magazine from Calcutta – Junior Statesman. Cordel was the name of a suitings/shirtings fabric manufacturer. I think that too lasted for a couple of years. Those interested can get more information from The Statesman’s archives in Calcutta. Unfortunately, I doubt very much that they have digitized their JS archives because you won’t find it on their website.
Anyway, there are a lot of musicians still around and performing in India who were very much part of the scene. Guys like Lew Hilt (now HFT/Great Society, then High), Nondon Bagchi (now Hip Pocket, then Great Bear/High), Lou Majaw (now solo/Great Society, then Blood & Thunder/Great Society) are still doing great performances and keeping live English rock music alive.
Cheers!
I have to laugh a bit. After checking out many of the California bands on your site I thought I would try some of the bands from other nations. India looked like a good start as there is currently (September 2009), only one entry. I was half expecting sitars and tablas like a George Harrison Beatles song. This being Garagehangover I should have known better. Actually the two Simla Beat tracks are cool. I too would love to hear an entire album. About the Confusions track “Voice from the Inner Soul”, I being 55 years old noticed that this song sounds remarkably like the Jefferson Airplane’s song “Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil” from their album After Bathing At Baxters. I guess the youth of India was influenced by the San Francisco sound.
This is a great web site. I’ll have to tell a few friends about it. I might even want to make a contribution someday. I can think of one strange single I have that must have an interesting story behind it. It is not exactly “garage” style (ca. 1973-75), but it is rare and very odd. Interested?
How right you are. The bands in India were very majorly influenced by the San Fran sound. I remember living in Calcutta in the late 70s and through the 80s. During that time, Grateful Dead albums were sold in shops at atrocious prices to collectors due to unavailability of the music. Gerry would have been real sad if he had known that his music was used for profit mongering. Janis, the Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Camel, the Charlatans, all of this music was very popular with the kids and HMV released most of this music on LPs at one time or the other – some collectors would have kept their copies I am sure. Also, the launch of the movie Woodstock converted a large number of musicians who wanted to become hippies. Many parts of India, like Goa was also a favourite destination for the San Fransisco hippies and so these musicians went there and there was definitely a huge counter culture happening unknown to the rest of the world. I have been a part of this in India and I can tell you they were beautiful times. I felt the strong airplane influence too in the track you mentioned…My friend had a band called ‘Temple Tramps’ and they were a garage band from Madurai, commonly known as the temple town of India – they played Simla Beat contest too and there was another one called Conga Beat Contest….
You will never believe this, I just met Mr Hemant Rao of the Savages, they won the 1967 Simla Beat Contest !!
Hi Tirtha,
I was a member of the Kingsmen,among other bands of the 60’s and we played at the Simla Beat Contest-not sure which year,though.Would you share any music that you have by local bands of that era,along with the Simla Beat Contest,with me? I’d be much obliged.
Thanks and regards,
Vernon
If this post is indeed from Joseph C. Pereira, I really enjoy your post here foremost. I just saw the the Yardbirds couple days ago. Since the Quests opened for the Yardbirds in Singapore in Jan’67 I have searched for any archival photos of that performance or any footage? perhaps from the audience?
I have also been in touch with Nandu Bhende as you have been in communication/interview with him, specifically about Led Zeppelin.
I do have suggestion for you very seriously. You and Nandoo Bhende must coauthor a book being pioneers of Rock in Eastern Part of the World. I see only scattered bits and pieces of the music scene of early 60’s and 70’s in India, UNFORTUNATE. It must be completely documented for future generations. I find it hearbreaking to see particularly, Led Zeppelin Visits ’71/’72 just so short of information. Truth is it was a real performance. Led Zeppelin actually performed at the Slip Disc. They stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Prior to Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page visited India ’67 as Yardbirds tour concluded in India. He met with Ravi Shankar in India? For sure he has met Ravi Shankar in previous England Peformance.
I hope you seriously will document the details above somehow in a book, or perhaps a 2-3 part article in Times of India. I am surprised that when Zeppelin visited in ’71/’72 no one took many photographs except just one that is floating around the internet? No video from any one, Bombay being a film town?
Joseph, I hope that you will continue this thought with your writer/friend Nandu Bhende.
If you can unearch any archival photos, etc. re. Zeppelin that would be beyond beautiful.
…Please continue this passionate dedication for all the future generation to see. Your contribution will be beyond words…
Jas
Fan
LedZeppelin
Please email me..as provided…
Excellent Sound..thanks so much for the story. I hope to see a book soon in pioneer Rock music in India.
I am looking for any pictures of the venue Slip Disc (for posting on the Official Site of Zeppelin). I have been in touch with Guitarist Nandu Bhende, performed with Zep at Slip Disc ’72. It is too bad that no archival sound, photos or recording of that Zep Performance exists.
Jas
I have some photos of LED Zeppelin jamming with Nandu at the Blow-Up at the Taj.
Are they available to the public?
Just came across this site and enjoyed the comments. Two points–Led Zep played at Slip Disc in 1972 (0r 73) but it was an impromptu event; two members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant landed up and jammed. I doubt there is any recording of it. Simla used to take place at Shanamukhananda Hall, an odd venue since it was usually reserved for Carnatic music performances. One of the contests was won by a band from Ahmedabad. Nandu, who was with savage Encounter, played in the Elphinstone College social, which we thought was very cool.
Hi, great that you responded. I have searched extensive archives for this visit. Nandu Bhende confirmed that as soon as Zeppelin left Slip Disc, an article and a photo appeared the very next day in Times of India. I have been out of touch with this famed writer/artist Nandu Bhende, I would like to obtain the article. The photo from Slip Disc is widely circulated on the internet Zepplin Bombay ’72.
Led Zeppelin confirmed visit is 1972, 1st week of March (I am searching for exact date at Slip Disc/EMI Studios). Zeppelin concluded their ’72 Australia tour and stopped by Bombay 1st week of March’72. This is absolute confirmation. They also booked some time in late ’71 by visiting Bombay Briefly and returned in ’72.
I am part of fan base who search passionately Zeppelin archives. For sure, Jimmy Page had a camera. He is pictured with movie camera in Bombay, just outside Taj Mahal Hotel with two street entertainers. You can see these photos widely circulated on the Official Site and also Richard Cole’s Stairway to Heaven Book, their Tour Manager.
Second, Bombay is a film industry. The Ownder of Slip Disc is Ramzan, very much part of celebrity scene. I wonder if someone has any visual record.
Here is the article by Nandy Bhende re. Zeppelin 1972 Bombay Visit
http://nandu_bhende.tripod.com/articles/particle5.htm
If anyone has any pictures of Slip Disc, (even if some Bombay Films are shot are there, please post)
I will post the venue on the Official Site…
tks.
Jas
Mr Anvar, sorry if this reply is rather late. I had forgotten about this website. Frankie was my wife’s first cousin. He returned to Singapore in 1971 after having been in India for three years. He joined a rock band called Fried Ice which featured an exceptional left handed guitar player called Ray Anthony. The description hard hitting described Frankie to a tee. He then rejoined Experiments. He was in this band before the he left for India. He played with them till 1983 and left the band then when they disbanded for good. He joined the family firm, Seashore Transportation and I believe still works in this firm. My wife do not have much contact with him and neither do I. Experiments did release one LP in 1979 called Chinatown Rock. Hope this information helps.
Sorry i only just saw this. Many thanks.
Regards,
Dear Jas,
I am sorry that I am replying to your note rather late. I have just read it today. August 11, 2010. Your idea is good. It will be a monumental task though to write about Indian Sixties music. I am intrigued as well. My cousin studied in India for seven years and he told me about the scene when he returned in 1972. He mentioned Junior Statesmen magazine. I have been in touch with Nandu Bhende and we have talked about the Indian Sixties numerous times. I have thought of remastering Simla Beat. It came out on a German label but was not remastered. It sounds weak when played on a decent system. I have also contacted people like Ralph Pais of Savages and another friend who played in Bangalore’s Devil Beats. I also met a Singaporean who was in the band called Human Bondage from Bangalore. I realise that India is a big country and surely there must have been a lot of bands in every state in India during that decade. I found a single by the Mustangs from Madras at Moore Market.
This project is interesting but getting information and getting leads of members of bands from that time is the hurdle. How to get them ?
Still you have aroused my interest. Just for your information I authored one book on Singapore musicians called Legends of The Golden Venus and am finishing a second book on Singapore Sixties presently. I have also produced six cd releases of Singapore Sixties.
If we could do the same for India. My e-mail is jpreynolds@pacific.net.sg
I have a Facebook profile which you can access and see pictures of Singapore bands. Perhaps one could be created of Indian bands.
Let us keep talking. This is interesting.
Regards.
Joseph.C.Pereira
p.s I do have a faded picture of Jimmy Page playing the violin bow at the Yardbirds concert in Singapore in January 1967. It is on my Facebook profile pictures.
Hey man, would you introduce me to Mr Hemant Rao ? I would be much obliged.
Regards.
Joseph.C.Pereira
Hello Mr. Pereira,
Thanks for your reply…most appreciated for your kind reply. I have submitted some archival searches at the Official Site of Zeppelin re. The Yardbirds and Zeppelin of their Bombay Visit.
I have noted your email, I will send you detailed email re. some archival searches/questions
I am currently in touch with Nandu Bhende as well…will write to you more about this in the email..
Jas
ledzeppelin51@hotmail.com
P.s. If anyone found any fascinating photos the Slip Disc (still) from Bombay ’72, please let me know…thank you
I remember the night a long haired guy asked if he could use Jimmy Dorabji’s guitar and he said “fine” this was at the Slip Disc where my brother played off and on…Neel Chattopadhyaya of Atomic Forest and later “The People” we of course had no idea who the guy was until someone recognized him and the line around the block was SOOO long the next night of course Jimmy Page didnt show up! Neel remembers it better….
Where can I buy T-shirts for Simla Beat 70?
There is definitely recording of Zep at Slip Disc but it is lost Madhu told me as he shared stage with Zep that night. According to Madhu There are also photos in the Junior Statesman. http://www.bigdooker.com/milestones.html
Madhu cannot find the Recording or Junior Statesman. I will see how much I can do to find archives. Please let me know any leads on the Junior Statesman lost copies of newspaper – Zep would be the First Week of March’72. Any other copies of the Junior Statesman are appreciated. Finding the Lost Recording of the Mighty Zep would be more than DREAM come true…For all
Sincerely appreciated
Madhu/Jas
my email:
ledzeppelin51@hotmail.com
Nina C. Menon, can you please get in touch with me? This is a serious inquiry re. Zeppelin Archival Search. I am presently in touch with all of the musicians who were present that night… I would love to find out much archival details as possible so we post at the Official Site of Led Zeppelin…I already have with much help of Nandu Bhende… This is extremely rare and fans would appreciate your insight or any leads to locate the lost recording that night, also photos if any from audience, but definitely there are more in the Junior Statesman…I would really like to hear from you…
Here is video of Zeppelin ’72 in Bombay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl6wqtI1T_Q
Thank you,
Jas
ledzeppelin51@hotmail.com
I have some info and photos .My husband Nandu Bhende performed in the Simla Beat Contest.
I received the following email from Ardeshir December 8th, 2010:
“I will also write to you about the early years of the “beat groups” in Bombay and my own brief stint as the lead guitarist of the “Gnats”. Our three major gigs in 1963-1966 were at The Khalsa College, Matunga, The nair Dental College, Bombay Central, and the Wadia-Vatchha High School for Girls at Dadar Parsi Colony. There was only ONE photograph of the Gnats taken by our scout master at the Wadia-Vatcha School gig. But it is believed lost when the scout master passed on his photo collection to someone else.
Image Courtesy:
Ardeshir B. Damania of the Gnats, Bombay
University of California, Davis
Hi Patrick,
My name is Rajesh and I’m doing some research on the music scene of the 60s and 70s in India. Could you please get in touch with me via email (rajeshmehar AT gmail DOT com) or phone (it’s an Indian mobile number: nine eight four five four two seven zero four three)? I would love to chat with you.
Regards,
Rajesh.
Hi guys,
It was such a pleasant surprise coming across this page and reading about the great times.
I was the lead singer for the FRUSTRATIONS AMALGAMATED , from Madras which won the All India Simla Beat Contest at Shanmukhananda Hall, Bombay in 1971. We won the Best Group Award, the Best Singer award and the Best Own Composiion award ,,,,, thrilling, just to remember those wonderful days !!
Manu (Manohar Roberts, our Lead Guitarist, is in Chennai and still plays a mean lead guitar and is still in music. Ramji, our drummer was with the Abhaswaram and is in Chennai, still very much into music. Dumbu, our Bass guitarist is in the U.S.A. and we are trying to get into contact again.Lawrence,our Rhythm guitarist, is in Singapore and I believe, still in music.
I am presently in Bangalore and very much in music. I had a group called the West Wind here but am presently singingwith my keyboard accompaniments and midis , along with a good guitarist Dominic.
On winning the Simla Beat Contest we did do a recording at the Royal Gems studio, but nothing came out of it !!
I have a couple of pics which I want to share with all of you but have no clue as to how to insert them here. Jaya Bhaduri gave the awards to us !!!!!
Wonderful days, wonderful music and wonderful memories
Hey guys it will be lovely to share the good memories and relive them
Contact me at 91-9845225566 (Bangalore)
Affectionately,
Shyam
Great reading about all you guys after so long!!
We must stay connected and roll out the music you guys played then so we can hear it all again. Any links would be appreciated
Rajatr Pandhi
9560454030
See Ardeshir Damania’s article on the site for the full story.
Hi there Shyam, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Dumbu’s wife and pretty delighted to see that you’ve posted here. A friend drew my attention to this site and I’m glad to know that Dumbu hasn’t exaggerated (!) about all those years of glory. I hope you all get a chance to reunite. Dumbu can be reached at 832 368 4012. I’ll get him to call you.He’ll be very happy to reconnect. By the way, Abe was here a couple of weeks ago. Abe Mammen? Stay well. Warmly, Kalyani.
Hi Dumbo met you in Hyderabad FA-Sudeep Chaterji
Later Madras for Wishbone ash concert
Poor Mama Luz is sick in Hwai
Poor Ganesha ModGun passed away
Israel Bhooshi-Kodaikanal
Now North Wales UK
Hi Websurf
could you let me have Hemant Rao’s contact details?
thanks
Hi Cyrus, I do have the sketch of the ‘Simla Beat’ LP , but its framed . My Dad Terence Michael was the drummer who played for the band ‘The Dinosaurs’ . I also have the ‘Simla 70’ LP but …as you know its of monumental value to him & me . He still lives in Bangalore and is retired now . He has a lot of stories about the music scene in the late sixties & seventies . However i don’t think you can get a T- Shirt but you can download the picture on the LP and print it on a T-shirt.
Regards
Andre Michael
hi
anyone has info on the simla beat contests do get in touch with me. just post your email here, i keep coming here all the time
also looking for info on the cal music scene.
thanks
My Father composed the song by the Fentones along with his team of course.
Then you must have remembered The Fentones. My Dad was leader of the Band . They won on that year ad took the prize from Randhir Kapoor.
Get in contact with me there are allot of posers !! cause we cant verify them !! every ones every ones dad or uncle use to play with Led Zepp ….excuse the criticism …
!! i have proof and will show you the LP and you can talk to my Dad but make it quick cause ….u know they are “The generation” and God knows when they will cease to exist !! I Have a Tape recording of them jamming at Holy Cross ..ST Marks rd ”
“All India Radio Bangalore” before there manager “Chubby” left India.
Andre Michael
Email – andrevmichael@gmail.com
Hi Vernon
If you were a member of the Kingsmen from Bombay in the late 60’s then you would know my ex husband Jumbo Waller. He was the lead singer and I believe that Banu played lead guitar.
If you are I am sure he would love to get in touch.
Sharon Houlihan
Hi Sharon,
I would love to get in touch with you. I have been looking into my family history over the last year and have a lot of relatives from your time and location in India. I would love to love connect.
Kris
Hi Sharon
I have been trying to track down my grandfathers tree through online research & your name appears – my grandfather was Roy Hunter Brian Houlihan. Any more information I’d be grateful to hear from you. I see my cousin Kris has also emailed
Regards
Vanessa
I’m Ellis, drummer of the Mystiks. Hope Jumbo Waller remembers me. ellis.dion@gmail.com.
I’m sure music lovers will remember the Mystiks who disbanded in 1971. I remember Jumbo Waller & his sister Susie extremely well, in fact we used to jam at his place when they were staying in the railway quarters in Matunga, Mumbai during our teething years. Nostalgic memories haunt me whenever I read such articles. There was also a group called the Combustibles who played their own composition “Quest Request” at the Simpla Beat Contest in 1968 I guess and dedicated this song to the Mystiks.
was great reading and catching up with all old days .. Great music an funtimes . Whatever happened to the sillencers and the playboys ???!!! the best to all …. May .H.
Hi Mehru. This is Mohan Nambiar drummer of the Voodoos of Madras in the sixties! Would love to connect with old friends!
Mohan Nambiar 09443331282
Hi Mohan, I was in MCC with Suku and stayed next door to each other in St Thomas Hall. Remember watching you’ll rehearse at your place.
Remember meeting Madhu in Bombay on a couple of occasions in the early 70s
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Were there other bands from MCC and Madras back in the day? I was at St. Thomas’s Hall from 2015-2020
Hi,
I’m the former drummer & leader of the Mystiks a beat group that made headway between 1966 and 1971. For more information you can contact me ellis.dion@gmail.com. Ellis Nathan
Yup the mystiks too were real cool ! those were great days when guys put heart and soul into their stuff
ive enjoyed this album, especialy song The Fentones – Until the Dawn. is it anything to do with shane fentone and the fentones? or just some obscure indian band.
This is a blast from the past! I owned a single this had these 2 tracks on it. This page provides some awesome info about these tracks!
Hi,
Jumbo (handsome guy & a good singer) was a very close friend of mine and shared some delightful days together. He formed his group after we formed the Mystiks. In fact, the Mystiks took root at his place in 1962. We used to have wonderful parties at his place and jam sessions too. Where were you at that time? I’d love to know the whereabouts of Jumbo, could you please help? Ellis nathan
Hi Ellis,
I was reading your post after stumbling on this site and thought – hey I know you, I can still see your smiling face, sitting on the drums – so many years ago.
How lovely to hear from you.
I’m in Australia now, with my wife, son and daughter.
What about you?
Take care man,
Jimmy
Mr Dorabjee,
Honour to write you. You are mentioned in a book about India music titled India Pyschedelic. Sure would like to hear from you about those times. Write me if it not too much a bother. jpreynolds@singnet.com.sg
I live in Singapore.
Regards.
Joseph.C.Pereira
God, this site sure is like a blast from the past.
Hi Jimmy, this is Max, from Bombay.
I live in Goa now.
Can be contacted: max.tushar@gmail.com
Cheers!
I’m doing some research for a fictional project set in Bombay between 67-68 and I have enjoyed this web-site hugely. For my purposes I need to verify if there was a Simla Beat contest at Shanmukhananda Hall in either 67 or 68 and it what month? Also which were the bands involved and who won? if anyone has memory of that time any info much appreciated.
I was there at the 1968 finals of the Simla Beat Contest. My brother Sukumar Nambiar was singing for the Silencers and this band practically won all the prizes! Best band,best singer,best drummer etc etc! The other band I remember were the Living Dead from Delhi,the Spartans from Madras who later on became the Human Bondage (In fact our band Voodoos had lost to them in Madras) The chief guest was the actress Tanuja and the judges had people like Shankar of the Shankar Jaikishan fame!!
Keep on rockin’…..
Please check India rocks page on Facebook..
Hi guys
Mentioning the Silencers brings back the nostalgia of the late 60s and 70s bands from Madras now called Chennai! I do remember Frankie’s spectacular drumming and the brilliant keyboardist Viji Msnuel playing for them along with Leo and Lawrence. Apart from the awesome sound and display of Fenders they were a great bunch of musicians. Viji used to play a Farfissa electronic organ which was a rarity at that time! One of the gadgets they used a “Swissecho” was sold in the 70s to the band I played with. If functioned by a looped tape which would wear out or snap and then we’d have to replace it and if the splice was not done right it could cause embarraing sounds haha,The other band who had Fenders was The Missiles headed by lead guitarist Chabdraseker and Jayant Basker the singer who was quite a personality on stage! Then there was the Confusions,Spartans,Mustangs, Voodoos. Vital statistics,Livewires. Commandos,Pilgrims and later on Frustrations Amalgamated /Wild Angels . Those mentioned are the few I can recall other than the many more at that time! Madras also had its Anglo Indian dance bands like The Shades. Mascots.Shadooks,Phsycadelics. Then there were Hotel bands names of which I don’t recall but remember Mario Pinto at the O’ Papa restaurant and Dudley Medera
Black Sheep from the early 70s a rock band featured the late Ian Harvey and the great bassist Karl Peters also Abe Mammen played in a band called the Void before moving on the Bombay. Quite a few members of the bands moved to Bangslore before moving on the Bombay and Delhi!
Thanks to the website should be lots more contributions with fond memories of the 60s/70s era!
Cheers!
Viji manuel has passed on. ….
I was doing my PU in Loyola at the same time the Silencers started playing.They were really fantastic.All of them ere doing their PU at the time.They also had a crooner George Fernandez who was from Malayasia.He covered Statisfaction very well.They used to practice for College functions in a small room atop of Betram Hall and I used to be there.At that time they had a drummer named Maung not sure if I got the name right.Any ideal where all of them are now.
There were also two brothers in Loyola at that time Surseh & Ramesh good musicians who later on formed Human Bondage in Bangalore.I think Viji played organ with them for a while
Does anyone have any update on the Silencers and Human Bondage
Cheers
Wish i knew too … Silencers are in singapore i hear and have a new band name
Dear Sir,
Frankie of Silencers live in Singapore. Leo Samy migrated to Australia. No idea of Lawrence. The bass player of the first line up passed on.
Regards.
Joseph.C.Pereira
Hi Nathan
Jumbo Waller is alive and well and living in the UK with his second wife Leslie. I was married to him for many years and we have 3 children together and a number of grandchildren now. I still keep in touch with him and only saw him last weekend. If you want to give me your details I can ask him to get in touch. I remember the Mystiks and all the Bombay bands and the great times we all had.
Hello Ellis
Jumbo Waller is alive and well and living with his second wife Leslie in the UK. I am his first wife and we have three children and a number of grandchildren. We are still in touch and I saw him last weekend. If you would like to get in touch with him just let me know and I will give him your contact details
Simla Beat 70/71 is a collection of tracks from the All-India Simla Beat Contest, which was organized in the late-1960s by the India Tobacco Company. In an attempt to reach the youth market, the India Tobacco company billed itself as “the oldest cigarette company with a young heart” and tried to attach its brand name to rock music. The contest was first held in 1968 and became an annual event thereafter. As the contest grew, a subsidiary of EMI released the LP Simla Beat 70, which collected the winning tracks from the 1970 contest, and followed the next year with Simla Beat 71. A label ill-advisedly named Ten Little Indians reissued Simla Beat 70/71 as a double-LP in 1997, and Normal Records released this as a double-CD in 1999. Normal Records did a nice job of packaging the CD reissue of Simla Beat 70/71, but for some reason they chose not to add any information about the significance of the All-India Simla Beat Contest. This release includes the artwork and liner notes from the original LPs, but no further information. This is more than a little disappointing, as the original liner notes are not very informatiive, being more or less a commercial for the company that staged the event. From the information available, however, it’s clear that this was a major event in Indian rock & roll. All in all, 13 bands representing nine Indian cities are featured on these discs, and the music on Simla Beat 70/71 is surprisingly Western sounding. Anyone expecting sitars and tabla drums is in for a shock, as most of the tracks feature a guitar-bass-drums-vocals lineup, and a number of the tracks are covers of American songs. Simla Beat 70 contains two Creedence Clearwater Revival covers (“Sinister Purpose” by the Dinosaurs, who were from Bangalore, and “Born on the Bayou” by the X’Lents, who were from Ahmedabad—presumably they weren’t singing about the bayou in Ahmedabad!). Simla Beat 71 included a couple of blues covers, Skip James’s “I’m So Glad” is covered by the Velvette Fogg and Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor”, performed by the Hipnotic Eye. More than likely the Indian bands who recorded these songs had only heard the versions recorded by popular rock artists. Cream included “I’m So Glad” on the 1966 album Fresh and “Killing Floor” was the debut single of the Electric Flag in 1968, not to mention that Jimi Hendrix had performed this song at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Other songs on Simla Beat 70/71 make specific reference to psychedelia (the X’Lents recorded a track called “Psychedelia” and the Brood of Vipers perform “Psychedelic Web”). Psychedelic titles and band names aside, these tracks by and large are straightforward garage rock. This is not a criticism, as the tracks here are inspired recordings with a refreshing guitar-bass-drums-vocals simplicity. Having said that, easily the best track in this collection is the most “eastern” sounding one, “Simla Beat Theme” by the Fentones. “Simla Beat Theme” is a hipnotic instrumental track that increases in tempo and in intensity over four transcendent minutes. It’s ironic that the Fentones achieved that “eastern” sound with a guitar-bass-drums arrangement that so many British and American bands were trying to achieve by adding a sitar to their sound. All in all, Simla Beat 70/71 is a good collection. The main criticism of the music here is that the Indian bands were perhaps trying to sound too American, but Simla Beat 70/71 is a fascinating release that is definitely worth searching for.
Simla Beat ’70:
Confusion – Voice from the Inner Soul
Dinosaurs – You Can’t Beat It
X’lents – Psychedelia
Innerlite – Zorba’s Dance
Genuine Spares – Proper Stranger
Genuine Spares – What’s Going On
Dinosaurs – Sinister Purpose
Great Bear – Mist
X’lents – Born on the Bayou
Innerlight – Baby Baby Please
Simla Beat ’71:
The Fentones – Simla Beat Theme
Nomads – Nothing Is the Same
Hypnotic Eye – Killing Floor
Mini Beats – Hey Gipsy Girl
Velvette Fog – I’m So Glad
The Black Beats – The Mod Trade
The Eruptions – I Am Gonna Erupt
The Fentones – Until the Dawn
Brood of Vipers – Psychedelic Web
The Eruptions – You Can’t Judge a Book
Hypnotic Eye – Aimless Lady
I was the organist in a band called “Wafwot”. We played a number of gigs around Delhi in 1972 and 1973, won the 1972 JS Cordel contest in Delhi, and came out second to “The Great Bear” in Madras. In spite of this, I’m very surprised that there is hardly any mention of our group anywhere on the Net (though maybe it was because we weren’t together that long). However, when Wafwot disbanded in 1973, our singer, Ashwani Bali, went on to become quite well-known in the Indian scene for 3 years.
Also, I think that if our band had remained intact for another few years, we might very well have made a significant impression on the scene at that time, since it was our idea to combine Indian elements with rock, which was quite radical back then. We had even completed a few tunes that blended Bhangra and Hindi film song elements with Western electric instruments and vocals in both English and Hindi. We even had a rock opera that was in the works, but it never saw the light of day. Oh well.
Dear Mark, I’m seeing your comment nearly 7 years later. I hope this reaches you. I am the daughter of one of your ‘wafwot’ members, Percy Singh. Heard Mr. Bali & Sam’s sad passing on. However, dad would love to connect with you. If you get this please, please mail me at vaishalisingh32@hotmail.com . Keeping my fingers crossed.
Hi,
I attended most of your performances in the 70s and was a great fan of WAFWOTS.
Mike Tims was a close friend from Dhoula Kaun Club times and Fernandes your drummer was also well known to me.
Loved your music and the great times we had. Lodhi tomb gig was outstanding.
Where arr your Band partners now? In touch with any?
Can you send me any links to copies of your performanaces?
There used to be the voodoos with suku nambiar and bro mohan then there was famous band with ebby sargunar haroun mohamed ana the great derrick norris on they were sax whose now in perth they re take on woolly bully was just awesomely amazing. .they wer the beat X. …. memory lane ……
Hope my info was correct. . was jus not too sure weather derricks band was the beat X orrrrrrrrrrrrr
Then there was rudy (rudolph) and the great drum mer boy allwyn marsh who were the band at the madras gymkhana club
Sorry, I’ve seen your post 9years later.
Derryck played sax for The Mustangs with Haroun on Bass, Paddy on drums, Tim on rhythm guitar, and George on lead
The Beat-X were from IIT Madras. Does anybody have information about them?
Hi guys was young when my sis did occasional keyboards with genuine spares in Secunderabad. From memory the members ajit comfort , sudhir comfort, noel , Gary , percy on drums. The group were the hep crowd to be with . Their jam sessions at Kwalities opposite the old Plaza cinema on James street were always premium events and tickets much sought after. There was one groupie who followed them everywhere they travelled named Glenn Rodericks. As far as can be sure Ajit and Glenn are no more and Percy was last still doing drums in premier Australian Gospel rock. No news of noel and gary. Sudhir lives in secunderabad. The last time i heard them play was in circa 1977 at a “Beat group contest” in Gandhi bBhavan in Hyderabad. At this event one more brother joined them ie Vinod Comfort but i cannot remember very much more from that evening for various reasons !
Hi M Satur
Gandhi Bhavan concert was earlier then 1977
I was there It was Vinod Mathews who joined.
Good Friends Comfort Family, Glen ,Percy
Saw them in Bombay too
Israel Bhooshi
Having all that said – where can I get the full cd’s?
I have just this record of Simla Beat Theme and it is absolute master piece. Any way to get more of that group? Youtube is full of crap in regards or otherwise this was a one hit?
Hi! Have you guys seen “Made In India” an autobiography by Biddu, the Lone Trojan? In the book he writes in detail about the early “Beat Group” scene in India and his own journey to England and stardom. It is a must read for guys like us. I can see myself in many of the thoughts he has mentioned in the book.
Adi
(of the once Bombay beat group “The Gnats”)
Hi Adi,
I knew Biddu Appiah while at the Trojans and later too. I played with a few groups, ending up with the Waterfront. Where can I buy a copy of the book? I now live in Melbourne, Australia.
Sometime back a journalist from Mumbai Siddharth Bhatia contacted me for a book he was writing on the music scene of the 60s and 70s and it’s published now – do you know about it?
I enjoy seeing the posts here, bring back visions of days so long long ago.
Thanks
Jimmy
Jimmy, I’m seeing this post 8 years later.
We were in class together in the early 6os in St.Peters School, Panchgani.
Trust you’ll remember.
Remember you playing with the Waterfront in 1970.
Bobby Mathews
Hello Bob, I have stumbled across your post to Jimmy Dorabjee. Jimmy passed away in 2019, i had the honour of being his wife. We were together 24 years , we had a son together and Jimmy has a daughter as well, whom gave him three grandchildren
Hi,
I’m a 20 year old college student from Bangalore. I love the music of the 60s and 70s and I’m currently doing a college project on the evolution of music in western music in India and it’s influence on the youth. I bought Siddharth Bhatia’s book too. It was a very very interesting read for me!
If any of you have any stories from those times that you could share with me, I’d be extremely grateful!
Hi Debayan. Couple of Bangalore celebs of that era are Anne Berbie and of course Biddu Appaya. Some families also were famous. Mrs Christine Colaco and Satur family. If Catholic Club has archives department of Talent Hour competitions circa 1963 to 1968 you will hit a gold mine of info. Happy hunting!
Hi Michael…thanks a lot! I will definitely check it out!
Apart from that are there any personal records or stories any of you can share to make my project more interesting to the other people of my age? (they do like music from the 60s like the Doors and all, but they refuse to take interest in the Indian rock music from that time)
Does anyone have any information regarding the band group called “busy bees” apparently they won the Simla beat contest in 1970 or71.
Any information would be greatly appreciated .
Hey Guys, And all the hep women who attended whatever the status , today.
It is nice to now there is an apostleship of the early ‘Simla Beat ‘ nostalgia in this ongoing dialogue.And all things nice from those times when life was meant to be music and play and some internships as work. All this acted as referrals to our youthful endeavors and subtle reliance on our parents purses who encouraged us .
I remember the Shanmukanada Hall , Mumbai at that time BOMBAY on a beautiful Sunday Morning.10/30 am and the Simla beat Show was in place. The first band on stage – The Reactions’, I believe they were NRIs from other geographies belted out the foot-tapper of them all the Rolling Stones ‘SATISFACTION’. Being a a 16 year old and wearing my first pair of Davysons shop at Founta in blue cowboy jeans with a check shirt and some Elvis Collar to match Iwas foot tapping also. My shoes were the chisel toe cuban heeled beatle shoes not from Abbey Road but from Colaba. And I as all set. I was in the mood. I was the best commercial equity there was in the hall . At least , I thought I was. And the show went on. And the Bands played . A new group ‘the Beat Routes’ assembl;ed themselves to sing Memphis Tennessee and an IIT student in the Band played Johnny B Gooode. And it was good. Like the earth when it began.
The interval was short and sweet. The bells chimbed as if another entry into heavenly bliss would take shape as you entered the hall from the corridor just before all ended by 1/30pm and you took the train back to Bandra that afternoon humming the best tune of the morning as if you had found nirvana at King’s Circle, Matunga.
Anybody out there in the public domain to remember all this and maybe some more…..?
Connect with me if you feel .
So amazing to have found this site!!! I was searching for a 60’s group from Delhi named ‘Beat Four’ .. brothers Keith & Gary Lapersonne were two of the members. They came to Bombay and played at the restaurant at Ritz Hotel opposite Eros Theater where Biddu used to play. Anyone has any news? I was just sixteen when I attended my first rock show at the Greens Hotel next to the Taj Mahal Hotel in Colaba. Bombay. Unit 4+1 was one of the groups. The Jets was another. Wish I could remember if there were others.
Wow, Ail these emails are quite fascinating. Patrice Dedeyn (Bass player from the Voodoos sent me this link. I was part of the Voodoos and then went on to Bombay and eventually was the frontman of Atomic Forest, later played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar etc. and am now living in the USA. I’m attaching my Led Zep at Slip-Disc recollections that I just posted on my FaceBook page last week. Please see below and share if you like. Sincerely, Madhukar Chandra Dhas. (aka Madooo: Stage name in the USA)
On 16 May 1966, drummer Keith Moon suggested the name “Led Zeppelin” for the first time.
And on this day Madhu (Madooo) has fond recollections of the evening he jammed with musician friends for Jimmy Page and Robert Plant at Slip-Disc in Mumbai (Bombay)… An experience of a life time!
Keith Moon, bass player John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Jeff Beck and Page recorded “Beck’s Bolero” in London’s IBC Studios. The experience gave Page an idea to form a new supergroup featuring Beck, along with The Who’s John Entwistle on bass and Moon on drums.However, the lack of a quality vocalist and contractual problems prevented the project from getting off the ground. During this time, Moon suggested the name “Led Zeppelin” for the first time, after Entwistle commented that the proceedings would take to the air like a lead balloon.
Check out my story below.
I’m sure there are many stories from the same night by different people who were there. Some are slanted that surfaced in my opinion. I saw in a Canadian Article, a friend of mine was quoted as saying he organized the equipment for the Led Zepellin concert etc. There was no concert. It was an impromptu jam. The equipment that was there belonged to the Velvetet Fogg I think and Keith from my band brought in some of our equipment and my infamous ‘Ahuja mike’ too – the one you see in the pix attached. These highlights below from that night as it happened are from what I can remember a.as follows.
I was at “Slip-Disc” that evening, just hanging out. My band Atomic Forest and I were not on contract to perform there. There were about 10 guys, including the DJ Arul Harris in the club just opening up. Arul Harris had all his psychedelic lights & projections ready from the overhead booth. (Point to remember: Arul ran a cassette tape of the entire night that followed. Keith Kanga took possession of that precious tape, which I remember clearly, because we played it over and over to death and unfortunately did not care to dupe and that tape is lost.)
This night was nothing out of the ordinary at Slip-Disc, till 3 gentlemen walked in, some of their faces seemed unbelievable familiar and I thought they were tourists. “OMG”, I screamed when we realized it was Robert Plant & Jimmy Page and another guy (who I later learnt was Richard Cole their manager). Ramzan the owner of Slip-Disc, who was one of the shrewdest businessmen I came to know, had no clue who Led Zep were. I recall him snapping his fingers at Jimmy calling him “Plant” and yelling, “Come on Plant, Plant, Plant, have another drink”. Plant and Page had quite a few of Bombay beer and got a bit tipsy I think. Next I was commanded by Ramzan to go and talk to them. I was introduced to Plant as India’s No. 1 rock singer. Plant asked me. “What kind of music do you do?” And I went, “Eeeeer … eeer…we try to cover your songs”. Clearly Plant was not impressed. His next question to me was, “Where are the chicks man?” We had spread the word and knew that a few friends were on their way.
I went out to the street to see fans also coming in. Ramzan’s next command to me was, “GO SING”. Not being under contract, and also with cold feet, I refused. Out of desperation he dug his fingers into my left rib cage commanding me, “Go sing, you bastard!”. Well, I did and sang “Honky Tonk Woman” with Willie (guitar) and Jamal on drums. Their band with Babu Banerji on 2nd guitar and vocals was on contract at the time. Robert Plant was sitting on the 1st level of the steps about 10 feet away from me. When I was done, he gave me a ‘thumbs-up”.
The crowd started chanting to them, “Jam! Jam! Jam!” Plant & Page got up and jammed with the band. The last song Plant went into a wild ad-lib about “Blow-Up” at the Taj Mahal Hotel not letting them in there. Apparently they were casually dressed wearing India Kurt’s and Kholapuri sandals and the Club manager insisted on formal attire. And so they put of these classy Bond Street type outfits and came to Slip-Disc a few blocks away where no formal attire was required.
After a 5-minute ad-lib about the incident, they went into “Whole Lotta Love”. Xerxes from Human Bondage joined in on bass as they were familiar with the songs and did a great job backing them. The PA amp was feeding back and Richard Cole fed one amp into another and managed to get a pretty decent sound. My mike was an Indian made Ahuja mike (which you can see in one of the pix) that had to be screwed on to the stand…not the kind where one could whisk off a hand-held off the stand. Towards the end of that song, Plant tried to do so and realized it was screwed on and began to spin it off the stand, wrapping the mike cord around the stand. The soldering broke loose slightly and just as he was screaming his famous “Loooooooooooooooooove” it started cutting off. I wish I could vocally express how it went, but in type it was more like “Looo …ooo…ooo…ooo…oooove”. I walked up and held the mike wire to the mike to keep it from cutting out. I was shoulder to shoulder with Plant. His voice was so strong and I felt it ringing in my right ear for several hours after this incident. What a great night! Needles to say all of us present were totally spell-bound and were amazingly lucky to experience this event. That’s all we spoke about in the many days that followed.
For me, when Robert Plant gave me a ‘thumbs up’ after I sang “Honky Tonk Woman”, that image was and is forever etched in my mind and perhaps will be one of the main reasons why I will never stop singing till the day I die. -Madhu Dhas (aka Madooo)
#ledzeppelininmumbai #pageandplantinmumbai1973 #ledzepjamsinclubslipdiscindia #ledzepwholelotofloveinindiannightclub #ledzepimpromptujamslipdiscindia #plantpagestunningsurpriseatindiannightclub
Also Madhu was featured on the Eastern edition of Rolling Stone” magazine and other UK sites. See links below:
Madhu’s Psychedelicbaby interview covers the Led Zeppelin experience
http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/…/atomic-forest…
Link to Madhu’s interview from UK interview also covers the Led Zeppelin experience
http://thequietus.com/articles/08236-atomic-forest-interview
Seventies Obsession: Mumbai’s Atomic Forest And The Original Hipster
https://rollingstoneindia.com/seventies-obsession…/
Please do spend a moment at Madhu’s Wikipedia page & check out some of his reviews about his earlier life & career in India
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_Forest