Biography
Who is Remo Fernandes?
Early life and real name
Luís Remo de Maria Bernardo Fernandes was born in Panaji, India, on May 8, 1953. He grew up in a Catholic family in Goa and was introduced to rock music at a young age when a cousin brought home a record by Bill Haley and His Comets. During his school years, he developed his guitar playing skills and formed a school band named The Beat 4, while also writing his first songs around age 14.
After finishing school, Remo Fernandes moved to Mumbai to complete a bachelor degree in architecture from Sir J. J. College of Architecture. He continued pursuing music during college by skipping classes, playing solo, and performing with local bands. He played with a well-known Bombay band called The Savages and released an album titled Ode to the Messiah in 1975.
Musical career beginnings
Between 1977 and 1980, Remo traveled across Europe and North Africa, performing with fusion rock bands and releasing an album titled Rock Synergie in Paris in 1979. Upon returning to Goa, he immersed himself in the local hippie culture and collaborated with traveling European artists. He later recorded his maiden album Goan Crazy in 1984 and Old Goan Gold in 1985 from his home using a four-track cassette recorder under the banner of Goana Records.
On these early albums, he played every instrument, sang all the vocal parts, and handled the composition, engineering, mixing, and cover design himself. He produced the cassettes in Bombay and personally distributed them from shop to shop in Goa, alongside a book of poems he wrote and postcards he designed.
Chart success and awards
After releasing his hit album Pack That Smack in 1986 and Bombay City the next year, Remo Fernandes became the highest-selling English rock musician in India. Pack That Smack was his first album released by a national record company, CBS, and featured anti-drugs themes alongside socio-political satire. His Hindi pop, rock, and film songs became instant hits with the Indian masses, earning him Gold, Platinum, and Double Platinum Discs.
He composed and performed music for films, including the title song for the movie Jalwa, which was released in 1987. His contributions to the arts were later recognized when he received the Padma Shri award. He also performed with members of international groups such as Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, and Queen during various international music festivals.
Personal life
On January 13, 1985, Remo married Michele Delahaye, and they had two sons named Noah and Jonah. The family lived in an ancestral home located in the village of Siolim in Bardez taluka, Goa, though Remo and Michele later separated. He holds an Overseas Citizenship of India card after acquiring Portuguese citizenship, and he now writes and sings his songs in five different languages including English, Hindi, French, Portuguese, and Konkani.
Birthday and age
Remo Fernandes was born on May 8, 1953, which makes Remo 73 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Remo shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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