DOWN MEMORY LANE Alwyn Mendes
Dear Madhu, Alwyn, JO, Juliet, Dr. Gregory Fernandes, Malcolm Pereira & All
Alwyn Mende's Musical Experience Zanzibar
Re: Down Memory Lane written by Dr Gregory Fernandes sometime in 2005
Thanks for sharing this lovely musical post copied below. I greatly enjoyed reading, that had me in stitches with some of Alwyn's musical experience producing a young band that certainly entertained in Zanzibar. At first I wondered why I missed out being part of the team, only to conclude I was much older and did not fit in with the young ones! At second thought I realised all the action took place after I left Zanzibar in April 1964.
Wonderful to see how Alwyn progressed in Toronto with his great function band where I was privileged to join at some functions when I visited Toronto Canada to include SJCSZ Reunion 2005.
P.S. I have attached a few band photos and a brief response to a couple of Alwyn's quotes, as it seems many folks enjoy reading about some of our fun experiences in Zanzibar, as such here is my 5p brief addition to music in Zanzibar prior to 1964.
Benny's fun experience with music. Hope my post does not bore you but as it seems, many like to hear about our lives on Paradise Island, I have rattled away a bit on music.
Best regards - Benito
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BENITO'S MUSICAL EXPERIENCE IN ZANZIBAR - Main Man - Albert Mendes
Whilst enjoying our wonderful time in the Scouts 11th Patrol, our scout masters Mr. Martin, Scouter Laurie and Scoutmaster Colin Bocarro organised an open-air concert at Old Forte and I was asked to sing a song besides being part of the gymnastics team.
The song chosen was "Blue Sued Shoes" selected by Colin who had Elvis LP record and as such I had to go to Betty's home to learn the song. Of course no complaints as you would guess, as you know going out with a pretty girl did not come easy during our school days.
Result: I was told I belted out Elvis which was a success and the following day Band Leader Eustace Pereira came over to our home asking my dad if I could join his band STARDUST. At first my dad said NO, I will not give you the reason, but I pleaded with my dad promising if I was allowed to join the band and also allowed to do Spearfishing (underwater diving), I promised I would never drink nor smoke. Between the two evils I was allowed to do both and all my friends will confirm, I never took up drinking nor smoking whilst in Zanzibar, in fact to this date I ha ve never ever even tried a cigarette.
STARDUST LINE-UP: Function Dance Band & NOT a Jazz band as quoted.
Eustace Pereira/Tenor Sax - Band Leader
Tony( Nick) Fernandes: Pianist
Lawrence Gonsalves: 1st Homemade Double Bass/Trumpet.
It was Lawrence who invented the Tea Chest Double Bass which was very successful and used by many other musicians for unlimited years.
Albert Mendes: Drummer.
George Fernandes: Guitar.
Benito De Souza: Vocalist.
HERE WE GO: STARDUST BAND MEMBERS MUSICIANS
Q1. Albert's complains within the band members. 1st he said it was not fair for Benny to leave the stage and go on the dance floor dancing with all those pretty girls, whilst he had to be playing right through and could not have a dance with the girl he fancied.
A1. The answer was simple. Benny only did some singing and whilst the band played all those famous instrumentals keeping the dance floor packed, idle Benny would join in the dancing. Band Leader Eustace never objected.
Benny enjoyed the last dance all guys looked forward - 'Save the last dance for me'.
Benny never had to sing the last song of the evening. How lucky!!
This answers Alwyn's question how Benny managed to combine playing in a band and enjoy dancing at the same time. Bottom Line: Benny was not a musician and did not play an instrument and as such the Band Leader did not object to Benito dancing.!!! ha ha sorry Albert.
Q2. Albert suggested Benny should play his guitar as a rhythm player. With a little practice Eustace and Tony Nick had me playing my guitar besides singing.
A2. Adding my guitar playing to my singing became a handicap which meant I could not leave the band stand and enjoy a few dances. I preferred dancing than playing so I had to find a solution.
Whilst playing I would break a guitar string which meant no guitar playing and back to some dancing. This did not last too long because Albert was too clever for me. He would bring with him at the gigs a full set of guitar strings. Benny here are spare strings!!! (I only wished I never played the guitar).
Below are some band photographs.
Playboy Albert Mendes on Drums with 'Stardust'
Albert's biggest let down being a drummer, he could not leave the
band stage and have a dance.
Sorry Albert your girl is in someone's else's arms!!!
Band Leader Eustace Pereira/Tenor Sax - Benito Vocals.jpeg)
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Eustace Band Leader/Tenor Sax - Lawrence Bass/Trumpet - Benito/Vocals
STARDUST BAND STRUCTURE
Screenshot from the biography on Lawrence and Annette
for their 50th anniversary.
"His musical inclinations led him to form a band –The Stardusters – with six other friends: the band leader was Eustace Pereira, who played the saxophone (and later became his brother-in-law), Albert Mendes who was quite proficient on drums, Tony (Nick) Fernandes, who played excellent piano by ear, Titus Remedios played great Clarinet, Lawrence Gonsalves played homemade double bass, Benito DeSouza, vocalist, and George Fernandes, also on guitar.
Band Pride - Lawrence Gonsalves invented the'Tea Chest" double bass
Lawrence played his homemade double bass, which consisted of a “Tea chest” (wooden box used for shipping tea from the uplands in Kenya), a single strong gut line, and a broom handle. The gut was connected to the top of the handle on one end and the middle of the tea chest at the other end. Changing the length of the gut, by clasping it against the handle at various spots, and pulling on the string would produce different bass notes, in which the chest resonated. As the band became more successful, they were able to afford a REAL double base. Lawrence became more proficient on his trumpet and played it more regularly; George took over the double bass."
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Goan Institute Social Function - Stardust
Was it a Jive or Rock n' Roll - Tutti Frutti
(Memories are made of this)
Hand Jive - 'The Girl Can't Help It (Karimjee Club)
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Below - 'The Young Ones' - Name those players.
Percy Gundavia on piano accordion was leaving for the U.K. to study, and introduced
me to Farrokh Bulsara pianist to replace him. At the audition he was certainly a great pianist, in fact too good. I asked him Do you Sing! With a bass powerful voice he replied "I don't sing" - We had three rehearsals together but unfortunately never did a live gig as the revolution followed and we all left.
Left to right:
Percy Gundevia(accordian), Mervyn Nunes (bongos), Peter Furtado (box bass),
Benito De Souza (singer/guitar), Tony Fernandes (drums), Herbert Fernandes (guitar),
Herman Fernandes (piano)
Below is a plaque displayed in Zanzibar in
Freddy Mercury's Museum only just sent to me.
Farrokh Bulsara - Super Star Legend
Freddy Mercury
Cable & Wireless Band
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ALBERT MENDES & BENITO IN THE U.K.
First Band - 'The Friends' followed by 'The Outsiders'
In 1964 Alexander Fernandes, the late John Braganza & Hugh Dias & myself lived in one lovely block of flats in Earls Court, each our own self contained pad, where I started my first band in the U.K.
Albert Mendes lived in Hammersmith.
Allan Rooke Lead Guitarist, Denzyl Sequeira Rhythm Guitar, both from Mombasa, Albert on Drums, Alan from Malaysia on Bass guitar and Benny vocals.
We were quite popular entertaining in small social clubs. At the time coming fresh from the U.K. we did not have our own cars, so had to hire a Taxi to get to our gigs.
At the end of a gig after paying the taxi fares we each would take home £2.50 at the time half a crown.
Albert's Experience. One Saturday after our gig, Albert was the last to be dropped home, and when he paid the taxi driver, the driver asked Albert how about my tip. Albert politely replied I do not have any extra money for tips.
The taxi driver told Albert, this is the last time I will be driving you
'BLACK BEATLES' again.
Below for those who remember Dr. Barton & his wife Lobo.
Dr. Barton singing with Benny 'Melody d' Amour' at the Medical University.
We later played for Dr. Barton's daughters wedding.
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ALWYN MENDES - BAND LEADER TORONTO CANADA
Touch of Class.
BELOW - MENDES ENTERPRISES
(Singers, Musicians, Entertainers, Entrepreneurs all in one)
Pop & Artie Mendes the First and Greatest Organisers in Social Entertainment
who put together the first Tanzanite Dinner Dance which can never be forgotten.
I certainly learnt from Pop & Artie and followed their footsteps organising Dinner Dances in the U.K. (to-date Mendes Enterprises rule ok in Toronto Canada actioned by Arnold & Alwyn).
BENNY'S ADVICE
Alwyn you do not hang up your guitars - the 'G' String Rules OK. My key is 'A'
Now that you are settling in your new Condo will soon give you time to
'KEEP MUSIC LIVE'
with your Dance band also supporting Arnold at the next 40th Tanzanite Anniversary 2023
we are all looking forward to attend.
Benny sings with Alwyn's band Toronto.
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BELOW THREE GREAT FRIENDS / MUSICIANS - STARDUST
Scouting, Sports and Music went hand in hand.
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Zanzibaris' always on the beat. What great memories never to be forgotten.
I think I was playing and all singing 'HOT HOT HO
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KARIMJEE CLUB WHERE ALWYN & CO CARRIED ENTERTAINING.
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STARDUST FAN CLUB
1st Member Hazel Cardozo
Please read at the end.
More postings from others appreciated.
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PLEASE READ ALL BELOW.
'Jo Birkmeyer' via SJCSZanzibar <sjcszanzibar@googlegroups.com>
To: SJCSZanzibar sjcszanzibar@googlegroups.com; Madhu Gajaria madhugajaria@gmail.com;
04/12/2022 18:31
Greg -
Your writings have always amused me. I have another one of your funny posts from after Reunion 2005 - suggestions for the next Reunion. Perhaps Madhu needs to see it before Sept 2023 Reunion. LOL
Unlike Juliette, I have no recollection of all these bands - they all came after my time in. I do remember the Stardusters -Lawrence played the box base and trumpet, and Benito on the mike.
I cracked up when I saw this:-
"I decided to follow in the noble path of Anita Maitra and Daphne and joined
Vispi in Med School. Did a few exposures in med school with a band called " VD and the Spirochaetes with Treponema at the mike".
Who but Med students would come up with a name like that -
1) the " Kupendana " duo with their Stetson hats strutting down main
road, swinging their arms with one shoulder lower than the other and
reversing shoulders as they turned the corners".
But of course - teenage boys!!!
Looking forward to more postings that make us smile.
Jo
Re: Down Memory Lane written by Dr Gregory Fernandes sometime in 2005
Malcolm Pereira <Malcolm.Pereira77@outlook.com>
To: Juliette Crunden juliettecrunden@gmail.com; Madhu Gajaria madhugajaria@gmail.com; SJCSZanzibar sjcszanzibar@googlegroups.com;
06/12/2022 03:16
3
Brought back a lot of happy memories. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Malcolm Pereira
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Lovely memories
Thanks for sharing 🤗
Am still Hula hooping
Salaams
Juliette
On Fri, 2 Dec 2022, 11:52 pm Madhu Gajaria, <madhugajaria@gmail.com> wrote:
Re: Down Memory Lane written by Dr Gregory Fernandes sometime in 2005
Hi all
Nice to see Alwyn finally getting some credit for all the effort being put in. I would further like to add a small tribute to him, for his friendship that made life interesting in the lazy, idyllic setting of Zanzibar,
He lived to the right of Africa Bar and then moved to the left (just before the leftist revolution.) In Std 8 the two of us would hang out around the school hall in awe at all the seniors practicing their guitars. We were the "younger ones " then. But it soon dawned on us that we were not progressing anywhere. The constant note of "BLUE moon", " RED sails in the sunset, SILVERY moon and some YELLOW bird stuck in some kungu or banana tree was like kindergarten all over again, learning basic colours.
We to reach for the STARS, and there they were -- the "STARDUSTERS " the fabulous jazz group of Eustace Pereira (Sax), Antao (double bass ), Albert (drums ), George Fernandes (guitar) along with Tony Nick. They were real heroes to us and we naively believed that if we could borrow their instruments we could be as good, so Ashley got Uncle Albert's drums, Alwyn (lead) got George’s Hofner guitar, and coaxed Mambo Leo to get his brother Maurice’s guitar. A laptop Hawaiian guitar was ingeniously
transformed with a wooden cutout into a bass guitar resembling a Fender Bass – Alwyn’s brilliant idea.
As we were all of Indian origin we called ourselves the "Commanches" (We had both failed geography - Teacher Anita). As the band became more sedate with a sparkle it was renamed " Blue Diamonds" I think we were Zanzibar’s first beat group (3 Guitars and a drum). We were definitely in some way trendsetters.
Our back up players were John Putush (rhythm), Johnny Rock (harmonica and bongos, his sidekick Agnelo carried his instruments), and Ralph (piano and keyboards).
Our lead singer was Khurshed, whose unique stage presence was later copied by Joe Cocker. The problem with Khurshed was he could not get the words of the songs right. For "Just Seventeen" Khush it was not "I couldn't dance with her mother " but "with another".
Our practices at the Mendes house often drew quiet a crowd in the streets below, that was what we thought, but in reality they were watching
1) The "Kupendana" duo with their Stetson hats strutting down main road, swinging their arms with one shoulder lower than the other and reversing shoulders as they turned the corners.
2) The handsome and debonaire two brothers (or relative of ? Teacher Rahmin) with their fancy clothes, turned up collars and Elvis Presley's hairstyle
3) George Verghese and his spin bowling stride.
4) Nelson Katembo whistling out for Joseph Kara.
5) Or crowding around that short Arab guy carrying his ware of bhajias on his head and yelling "Hahn Dahn Dah" - who knows what he meant. But whatever he said worked as his bhajias disappeared faster than our reunion tickets.
We had several fans, the two who came to our practices were the Karume boys with Isaac.
Another place that we practiced was on the top floor of Khurshed's house – a venue later copied by the Beatles playing on the rooftop of Apple Studios.
It was beautiful playing facing the ocean with all the screeching girls (I meant sea gulls - Zeno's inspiration) What a shindig!
Next day Beryl would quip "GRRR was that music or noise?"
Yeah girlie, it took several years even for the Beatles to be appreciated.
Our repertoire included - Quartermaster stores, - Satisfaction, - House of the Rising Sun - Glad all Over, - Should have known better with a girl like you, etc.
No Maggie we did not play Nkosi Sileli Afrika, it’s a great musical classic, best sung accompanied by a military band. Suggestion - can be sung as a final hymn at the prayer service.
We played at several venues
1) All our school concerts, fetes and dances
2) Starehe Club (old English yacht club) where we had to raise our decibels to combat the sound of the outboard Evinrude engine of Steven’s speedboat.
3) English Club - joined by the rhythm guitarist of the Tornadoes (British group of Telstar fame).
It was a memorable experience, everybody having a ball with Dr. Carvalho kicking up his heels with the swing, and the Ghana diplomat gracefully doing the tango. Yes, we in the process also serenaded the KUNGU tree, Souto's family (how about some Wall's ice-cream) and Bargash's family (payback time Baggy - another kilo of halwa).
4) Recorded and played live for Saudi Ya Unguja (Voice of Zanzibar) at Rahaleo.
5) Young Pioneers headquarters at the golf club, wearing red bandanas round our necks. They confiscated our instruments, became Peoples Property -secured their release through Pop Mendes.
6) Christmas dance at the Mason's hall in Vuga - behind Sarah Himid's house.
7) Church courtyard on boys side for St Francis Xavier's feast. We had a difficult time being drowned by the barking of Babush Dourado's Alsatian dog till we played "How much is that doggie in the window" when she disappeared.
Our Road Managers Artie Mendes and Maggie (Mabel's Mum) got us a few gigs.
1) Played at town hall where Clarisse and Juliet swaying in their hula skirts (qualifies for naked old flames photograph) to our rendition of Blue Hawaii, garlanded President Karume and President Nyerere.
2) Technical Hall near Mnazi Moja for a fashion show. It was scary with members of the revolutionary council brandishing and waving their fully loaded revolvers in drunken revelry as we played the hip swaying, butte lifting (meant uplifting) song that never ends 'Kujenga Inchi 'for more than an hour nonstop. At times felt like playing 'Lay that pistol down mama'. The bright side was that we were privileged to share the same stage with Dar's best congo band. Their lead guitar was tuned an octave higher and their amps near the max - Wow!
The steatopygia crowd was probably an inspiration for Freddy Mercury to compose "Fat bottom girls".
3) Opening ceremony for the jetty restaurant in Forodhani.
There were also difficult times, coming home late at night after playing via the narrow lanes to avoid the military night patrol. They would question you at gun point. The banning of songs by Sal Davis (Salim Abdulla of Mombasa).
Before we disbanded we had a final post Bave party in Baghani (Sabine and Romeos house, they were on vacation) highlighted by our own MBA perry (Romeo Pereira) singing his own one-word composition 'Barracuda, Barracuda,Barracuda 'also in duet style by his fictitious characters Vincent and Albert. The tapes have since been lost.
Moving to Bombay the music scene was different, from Bach to Bhangra, from Beatles to Bollywood. I hung out with Aspi, Raymond and Tony Chick at St Xavier's College and later with Madhu and Willie. Alwyn was also in Bombay but as he wanted to be around a band lived in Bandra. Ran into the other refugees as the Maitra’s, Abreus Cecelia Noronha’s family and in Sophia with Veronica Noronha and Carol Dias. In Goa, Paul and Theo Vaz had a fantastic highly rated psychedelic group called the 'Brood Of Vipers' played mostly
Doors. It was touching to be told that we were an inspiration to them.
I decided to follow in the noble path of Anita Maitra and Daphne and joined Vispi in Med School. Did a few exposures in med school with a band called "VD and the Spirochaetes with Treponema at the mike."
Our audience always stayed till the last song - it was easy when playing in a ward of bedridden patients. Some of them must have wished they were the "Grateful Dead " rather than putting up with this assault to their hearing. As years went by, I found it difficult to keep it up (I mean the music playing). So I finally unstrung the guitar and hung it up for good. I s
The biggest drawback in being a musician is that you don't dance. It gets ironic when you play "Save the last dance for me "and see your gal dance in somebody else's arms. Pervin, that is why we never married our schoolmates. I wonder how Benito did it?
I don't think I'll be joining you all on the cruise as the yacht is too small for me, I like big butts (I mean boats) as the song goes Heed the call of Benito and sing your hearts out, bass or no bass player.
Never leave this world with your song unsung. Have fun. --- GREGORY
Acknowledgements: My sincere and belated thanks to our parents and siblings who tolerated our antics. I think they felt it was better this way than hanging out with the "loafers" at Karpal’s Tunnel (down) in Foradhani. My special thanks to Pop and Artie Mendes, along with Maggie, the Talati family, George, Albert, Maurice and all those loyal fans. P.S. Alwyn -Modify or add any other incidents that you remember before you time capsule it to Madhu's VCD aved the 3rd string and since then have become an expert in playing with the "G String".
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1ST STARDUST FAN CLUB Member!!
Muito Benito
DEC 7 was already turing out to be a SUPER Special Day for me Reverie - Revelie (Pearl Harbor) adn all that was missing was REVELRY!!
You cannot see me in any of the Photos posted but Know I was there unseen
I was Listening - I can still hear the SOUND of MUSIC!
It went out past the window OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER) to where My PINTO Family often heard the beautiful Opening melody of STARDUST.. a Ah yes if I got motivated enough I would go to Our windows that looked directly over and into the GI I could then see who was there. YARDS away
from the house Located between the BARWANI Mansion and the CHIEF DeSouza Mansion home of the grandma of Mervyn Lobo and his Mom Altina de Souza.
We the Pintos lived there in Dr DeSouza Mansion as RENTERS 1951-1963
That December 31 New Year's Eve Dance Event past 10 PM my parents and 2 younger bros Bros in bed.. the Music and dancing had started when Lo and Behold there was a Bangin on our front door on the ground fllor we were "One Floor above" and they The several GIGY ( G I GOAN YOUTH !) said "Why are you not at the dance ? " ( I never was was I? ever? ) and then the command " We will wait till you are ready!"
"OK " said I laughing as my parents asked what why how who when etc.. I was 21 plus nine months of age to make that decision regardless what My Parents would think or say..and I did not see any harm or scandal so I threw on one of my my dance dresses I had designed and stitched myself ... and off we went ... minutes later It was the Last Dance Ever in my Birthplace Hometown.
On January 7 I left by air out of Zanzibar Airport...for Kampala Uganda Makerere College one last time and never saw Zanzibar again except in Photo graphs.
Always a Bitter sweet expereince for me..especially when every one looks just as they did look in 1960-63.
Just as I shall remember them always..
January 12 was The Day of reckoning!
I had no time to brood or grieve to wonder or ponder
I had to move on, go on and never look back and Here I am Far to the North and West of Zanzibar..In Massachusetts Home of the American REVOLUTION 1773 ...... still on going..to 2023.
My Last Semster in College inEast Africa was for Diploma in Education that ended May 1964..
It was the First ever to be printed on New Staionery of the Offically declared University of East Africa ... DIPLOMA IN EDU It is held by a very special group of several hundred persons who had been part of the T E A Teacher for East Africa since 1960
They came through the Peace Corp JFK Collaboration with Columbia Teachers NYCITY USA, UK Development and Independent UHURU Kenya and Zanzibar DEc 10-13 1963 joining Independent Tanganyika 1961 and Independent Uganda 1962.
There was also such a program for Teachers for Afghanistan!! Looking back now the HOT SPOTS "dot-com" cyberpsace reality ..
I had sat my BA Hons Program in Geography March 1963 aged 21. and told I had been "passed" by U London UK..
As it is now fashionable to put a lot of alphabets together I am BA UL D ED UEA
Yours Truly
Hazel
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Hi Ben,
5p, or 5cents worth … without a doubt … A ‘Lovely posting’ ….. It has brought back lovely memories of the wonderful memories of the GI Zanzibar dances and the great contribution The STARDUSTERS made at all the functions. …. Once upon a time in far away Zanzibar.
The pictures tell a wonderful story…. With a certain handsome young couple shining like, and superseding the Stars from West Side Story , and Fame and such like movies …Cumberband and Can-Can skirts and all, including best jiving and jitterbugging et all , and , I also remember well, your band-leader always asking a certain girl to dance the last dance with him, at every function, without fail….. the only dance he would come down from the stage to dance, to the tune of Stardust.
Dad was so proud of you and your band-mates. We all were. One photograph in particular, with Dad, Annabel and crowd of admirers captures it all. Those were the Zanzibar GI dances we all remember so well. Thank you, and all the contributors, for sharing your stories and pictures with all of us, keeping all the memories alive for posterity. All our Goan friends were like family to us, and I loved them All…. Still do.
Those were the days my friend. Those were the days. The events of 1964 changed it all.
Now all I can say is WONDERFUL !
God bless.
Love to All.
Yvette
