REMO : The Autobiography of Remo Fernandes

About this book

'A story of brave dreams and musical passions' - Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull I sit, I think, I write my story of longing, of long ago I try to fit a lifetime in a hundred and fifty thousand words, blow by blow. - Remo, on writing his autobiography, from his song 'Keep the Faith' Remo Fernandes is a legend: there's no other word for him really. When he started out as a relatively unknown artist in the 1970s, Remo would record 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 stage performances were sensational and brought his incredible musical talent to the fore. REMO is an extraordinary memoir. It is the story of a rich and full life - filled with professional highs and lows as well as personal triumphs and tragedies. Remo takes the reader along on a rollercoaster ride through his growing-up years, his travels, his musical journey, and his many adventures... Written with great zest, warmth and humour, and complete with hundreds of photographs and sketches from Remo's personal collection, this is a book that is a thrill and a joy to read. Review 'Remo Fernandes is a much-loved Goan institution, and his memoir serves up a fascinating slice of Goa's social history. The book will be a treat for all his fans around the world.' - Amitav Ghosh 'From the opening chapter of his autobiography, Remo takes us on a journey of kaleidoscopic images from his memories of childhood, growing up in Goa. I can smell the streets, the cooking, the sea and the feni as my own memories return to me through his words. He tells the story of his passions and adventures in music and the arts in an educated 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 for context.' - Ian Anderson About the Author Remo Fernandes was born in Goa and grew up there in the 1950s and 1960s. He studied architecture in Bombay, busked and hitch-hiked his way through Europe and North Africa as a young man, and returned to Goa in his mid-twenties, with a resolve to pursue only the things he loved: music, art and writing. His success with his first home-produced albums led to widespread fame and stardom. His chartbusting film songs and his albums were landmark hits for a generation of listeners. His innovative musical journey continues to this day: he recently composed and recorded a full-fledged opera on Mother Teresa. Now in his early seventies, Remo divides his time between his ancestral home in Siolim, Goa, and Porto in Portugal.