Celebrate the Life of An Indian Rock Pioneer

Blackstratblues.

This Thursday, July 5, musicians and music fans in Mumbai will get a chance to pay a somewhat delayed tribute to Indian rock pioneer Amit Saigal who passed away this January. Tonight, Blue Frog will host the “Fully Funtastic Music Jam”, a free gig put together by family and friends to celebrate the man affectionately called Papa Rock ahead of what would have been his 47th birthday on Friday, July 6. Saigal was responsible for starting the country’s longest-running music magazine, the Rock Street Journal as well as organising a number of concerts and festivals that helped launch and popularise countless home-grown rock and metal acts across the country. It’s thus no surprise that some of our biggest bands and musicians will come together to remember him through song. The performers include Blackstratblues aka the blues rock band formed by guitarist-composer Warren Mendonsa (watch out for a collaboration between Blackstrat and singer Vishal Dadlani, who will also do a short set with his Pentagram band mate Randolph Correia); the Whirling Kalapas, the acoustic rock duo comprising Indus Creed vocalist Uday Benegal and guitarist Mahesh Tinaikar; jazz-rock guitarist Dhruv Ghanekar (who will be backed by the rhythm section of drummer Jai Row Kavi and bassist Sheldon D’Silva); the Vir Das-fronted comedy rock group Alien Chutney; and much-loved pop-rock band Zero. The Mumbai-based members of the now-defunct quartet have roped in Goddess Gagged vocalist Sidharth Basrur to take on singing duties in place of Rajeev Talwar, who now lives in the UK. With a line-up like this, we’re sure the gig, which has been named after Saigal’s favourite phrase, will be “fully funtastic” indeed.

Blue Frog

LocationMathuradas Mills Compound
Opposite Kamala Mills
Tulsi Pipe Road
Lower Parel

Phone6158 6158

Relevant DatesThursday, July 5

Hours10pm

Ticketing & Price InfoFree

Websitewww.bluefrog.co.in