Calcutta Boy finds fame again!

Singer and song-writer Rhett May talk to Tanu about his life, music and how the two are fused

Rhett May is no stranger to fame but he has been out of the spotlight for a while – about 30 years or so. Now the talented musician is back with Calcutta Boy an album that he has created in collaboration with childhood friend and band mate James Payne.
Early musical career in Calcutta
Born in 1950 in Calcutta, his music is shaped by the Carnatic and Hindustani music and instruments. However, by the time Rhett had begun boarding school in the Himalayan foothills, Western music was also very much on the scene with cinemas featuring musical movies from The Monkees, Cream, or Jimi Hendrix. Elvis and Ricky Nelson's pop dominated the airwaves.
Rhett's formed his first band The Wooly Bullys at the age of 15 with Preston Bortello and childhood friend James Payne. Their first taste of fame came in 1966, when they won the Battle of the Bands. They performed at many of the venues that were hot at that time and The Wooly Bullys evolved into The Flint Stones. The Flint Stones became India's most successful pop group, being featured on the cover of many music magazines. They even attracted the attention of former Beatle George Harrison and Apple Records.
Rhett lived the magic of the musical melting pot, but one experience stood out. Rhett explains, “My mother and father were always playing records - no TV in those days - in particular I remember “A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)”, by Marty Robbins, and the beautiful voices and harmonies of The Ink Spots. Few, if any songwriters and musicians could grow up in such a perfect time and place of musical menagerie.”
Moving to Australia
Rhett left his native India in 1969 and started his new music career in Australia. Rhett states: “I got a totally new group of musicians together and we were doing the 'garage' thing.” This garage band would develop into a successful band which evolved from the Shakespeare Sarani to Prodigy, and eventually they changed their name to Lucifer.
Renaissance of Rhett May’s music
As the decade of the seventies progressed, Rhett's success was changed forever by the “fever” of Saturday Night Fever. With disco taking hold of the music scene in Australia, Rhett left the world of music for the corporate world. Rhett says, “Corporate life has been tough, but rewarding, but deep down, the music was still there … hibernating!” Rhett kept in touch with almost every musician he had worked with over the years. When friend and former band mate Tom Matthews had his 50th birthday party, all the musicians met up again, and had an impromptu performance. It wasn't long before the lyrics, melodies and rhythm was flowing again. James and Rhett joined forces once again and collaborated on new material.
Is the Indian musical influence still strong after all these years?
Yes it is. I listen to all types of Indian music constantly -- the rhythms, the cadence in the voices, the lyrics. I am still fascinated after all these years.
Who would you say has influenced you the most musically?
John Lennon, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Hollies, Crosby Stills Nash and Santana.
What is your schedule like for this year?
I am concentrating of a number of musical ideas and putting together songs for my new album, with a heavier feel for the Indian influence and my formative years in music.
Any plans for more albums? Are you working on anything at this point?
My next album will be called Fast Cars and Sitars with twelve to fourteen songs that will surprise a lot of people. Although I am proud of the songs in Calcutta Boy, they were written and recorded in my basement home studio within the space of a week -- raw and without the assistance of any professional recording personnel. I am spending a whole lot more time and energy on the songs for Fast Cars and Sitars but it will still have my own feel and not the slick, smooth, contrived over the top studio gunk that is so prevalent in today’s music.
What charities are you involved with or support?
Charities that actually benefit children that are disabled, intellectually disadvantaged, mentally and physically abused.

The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Be true to your music. Believe in what you are doing and persevere. Most creativity is 95% perspiration and 5% inspiration. But mostly, you must be disciplined to sit down every day and know that you are good at what you do.