Father, son set to rock the stage
VICTOR Rounds is renowned for playing alongside Australian greats such as Jenny Morris and international stars such as Elton John and The Eagles lead singer Glenn Frey.
His deep and funky bass lines have earned him the reputation as one of Australia’s premier bass guitarists and he has jammed with the likes of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and even the legendary Glenn Frey, founding member of iconic United States rock music group, The Eagles.
But this Saturday the man from Flagstaff, Suva, will be performing at the Golden Dragon 60th anniversary show, joined by his son Abraham Rounds — who as a 23-year-old landed gigs as resident drummer with two of the world’s biggest music superstars — British singer and multiGrammy Awards winner, Seal, and American singer, songwriter and bassist, Meshell Ndegeocello.
Victor is the son of John Rounds, a renowned local entertainer in the ‘50s and ‘60s – and grandson of Bonita Rounds, the leader of Snappy Six, Fiji’s first all-female band in the ‘30s and ‘40s.
He said he was fortunate to have played at the Dragon on a few occasions.
“I played with Tom (Mawi) and the house band at that time. Even Abraham had a jam once there with the local youth talent that Ken was promoting then,” the Australia-based bassist said.
“Last gig I did there was in 2003 during the South Pacific Games with Paulini (Australia-based Fijian vocalist). Tom (Mawi) and Tui Ravai was in that unit.”
The duo will help take those lucky enough to have scored tickets on a walk down memory lane to revisit the music that drew hordes of Fijians and tourists alike to the Golden Dragon nightclub on Victoria Pde 60 years ago.
The venue for the diamond anniversary gig is Club Central in Hurstville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
And the lineup reads like the who’s who of Fiji’s rich musical past.
From the godfather of Fiji’s music scene Ken Janson to jazz guitar legend Tom Mawi to guitarist-vocalist George Knight to rock-fusion guitar maestro Maxie Columbus – four of the artists who performed at the Dragon in the ‘60s and ‘70s will be there.
A surprise guest artists will be Les Gock, an Australian with Fijian roots who was the leader and guitarist of hit Australian glam rock band of the ‘70s, Hush.
Also featuring on the night will be one of Fiji’s tightest rhythm sections — the drum and bass combo of Ben and Roland Kotobalavu, guitarist and bassist Kuki Nayacakalou, one of Fiji’s best known rock vocalists Jimmy Nathu, drummer John Shankaran, local drummer Ratu ‘Tuma’ Marika Nasoqesoqe and one of Fiji’s most outstanding keyboardists and vocalists — Waisiliva Baledrokadroka.
But without a doubt, the man who has been coordinating rehearsals in the lead up to the gig and keeping the seasoned musicians and vocalists on their toes is former Ulysses keyboardist Henry Foon.
Foon is also the man who played a pivotal role in taking five Fijians living in Australia to stardom when he helped form Kabani, and recorded, produced and released their 1996 hit album — Siga Ni Soqo.
The Fiji Times spoke to Janson and Mawi before they departed for Sydney this week and both said while they were looking forward to the anniversary gig, there were mixed emotions because many of the musicians who helped shape Fiji’s music industry were no longer around.
“The most recent was the passing of Gilman (Lasaisuva) last week,” Janson said.
“A lot of people would not be aware that he was the first Fijian to play the electric bass in the country.
“He joined the Dragon Swingers as a rhythm guitarist and when we brought in the first Fender electric bass, he was the first one to play it.
“So it will be exciting to catch up with everyone and to play together on stage after so many years but it will also be a night filled with tears and memories of those who have paid their dues and gone ahead of us.”
I played with Tom (Mawi) and the house band at that time. Even Abraham had a jam once there with the local youth talent that Ken was promoting then. Last gig I did there was in 2003 during the South Pacific Games with Paulini (Australia-based Fijian vocalist) ...
– Victor Rounds