Remo fell in love with the sound of the flute from hearing LP records by Traffic, Blood Sweat Tears, and of Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. It is no surprise then that Ian Anderson has showered praise to the Goan superstar on the cover of his book when he summarizes the book by saying “A story of brave dreams sand musical passions”.

The back cover also has a continuation of words of praise by Anderson – “a journey of kaleidoscopic images from his memories of childhood growing up in Goa…..He tells the story of his passions and adventures in music and the artist in an education but entertaining way. His love of his roots and his strong ties to his homeland give this book authority and charm in abundance, all written in excellent English but with the spicy additions of Portuguese and Indian words and phrases fro context”

The book all of 508 pages has a narration in a very casual conversation style where Remo narrates the story of his life, it’s Remo talking to you.  The author has divided the book into four parts and in chronological order takes you on a journey from Siolim, Goa to Porto, Portugal and back to Siolim, Goa, which is good for the reader to understand the journey he took.

In the first part he recounts his school days in Portuguese Goa, to his childhood days with his family and relations. The second part that has his architecture college days in Bombay, his hitch-hiking days in Europe and Africa. The third part revolves around his return of his homeland and his fourth part his decision to live in Porto, Portugal, taking citizenship and dividing his time between Goa and Portugal.

He states in the book “Myriad distractions made the writing drag on for years, but the lockdown helped me give it undivided attention until completion,'' he says about his autobiography, which was released on 30^th November 2021.

The book also opens up on his childhood days with his family, to his time when he started out as a relatively unknown artist in the 1970s, recording his first albums in his home studio and distribute them around Goa on his yellow scooter. But soon, he was to become a national craze, with blockbuster hits to his credit in English and Hindi pop, and in film music as well. His popular songs were on everyone’s lips with super hits that include Jalwa, O Meri Munni, Humma Humma and Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha, Hello Rajiv Gandhi not forgetting his top English song Bombay City. You also cannot forget the Lehar Pepsi jingle Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby Juhi Chawla and the very infectious The Flute Song.

Many would be aware that a few years ago he also composed and recorded a full-fledged opera on Mother Teresa titled Teresa & The Slum Bum. And if you want to know the details about it all, it’s all recorded in his autobiography. One mention must be made about the band he had formed the road accident that killed his band members and the criticism he recovered for it,

The book widely shows what the Padma Shri awardee (2007) truly loved – music, drawing and writing. Today the 68 year old who spends half the year in Portugal and half in Goa, is all this and much more. Singer – songwriter and author. He says there are still a few things that are not mentioned in the book. And when we prompt him to reveal it, he says with grin on his face. “I will tell you all about it when the time is right”.

There are loads of rare never seen photographs, from his family album, school pictures, his music tours, album covers and even photos of his own family, the many women in his life. There are also sketches from Remo's personal collection that are included in the autobiography.

The book is undoubtedly a must-read for his fans, a desi rocker who had great style, great showmanship, had packed audiences for every show, and a passion to play the Guitar and Flute, not forgetting his beautiful voice.  

Book – REMO - The Autobiography of Remo Fernandes

Publisher – Harper Collins

Hardcover – 486 pages

Price - Rs. 799/-

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira