Landscape
The Indian music scene is a vibrant and diverse culture of bands spanning various genres from folk to rock. Bands such as Agnee, Indian Ocean, Chai Met Toast, and Dream Note have been experiencing significant success with their original releases and have embarked on national and international tours, effectively representing India's rich musical legacy and cultural diversity. The contemporary Indian music landscape has undergone a transformative shift, largely influenced by the rise of music festivals, advancements in technology, and the proliferation of streaming services.
This evolution has led to a considerable change in the way music is produced, distributed, and consumed, departing from the more restrictive and narrow environment that earlier generations of musicians had to contend with.
Arrival
Delving into the history of Indian boy bands and boy band culture, you'll encounter names like The Junkies, Atomic Forest, The Silencers, and many others that were active during the 1960s and 70s. During that era, these bands were primarily known for performing covers of Western artists and bands. However, it was during this period that The Savages emerged as a game-changer. Basir Sheikh, the founding member of the band, was inspired by the American drummer Gene Krupa and began to learn drumming. After some time, in 1960 he assembled his own crew, which he named "The Savages." The initial lineup for the band consisted of Basir Sheikh, Lenny Cason, Clifford Lee, and Piorino Manzi.
Originals
After the band's formation, they played gigs in Bombay for a year, primarily performing covers of international artists. However, in 1966, the band underwent a transformation when some of the artists left due to personal reasons. It was then that The Savages embarked on the journey of composing their original tunes, becoming the pioneering force in the Indian music scene for creating original material. At this point, the band's lineup included Hemant Rao, Prabhakar Mundkur, Ralph Pais, and Basir Sheikh. During their illustrious stint, The Savages released several notable projects, including their eponymous album "The Savages" in 1968, "Black Scorpio" in 1973 (an album), "Live" in 1975 (a live album), and "Old Turkey Buzzard" in 1975 (an EP). These releases are now considered invaluable pieces of Indian rock music memorabilia, as they mark some of the earliest instances of original Indian rock music, showcasing The Savages' pivotal role in shaping the country's music landscape.
Decorated Career
The Savages has had a fairly decorated career. Despite the change in lineup the band saw over the years they continued to perform and release music which made them the hottest rock act of that time engraving their name in Indian Rock music history. Adding to their hat of milestones and achievements, the band also won illustrious competitions like the "Best performance" and "Best original composition" at the Sound Trophy in 1967, cementing their legacy of excellence in originality. The band also went on a nationwide tour in 1968 with actor Sajid Khan after the release of their debut LP "The Savages Live for Polydor of India," taking their name to a number of places.
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