FRIENDSHIPS are relationships often developed over a number of years.
In the music scene, however, friendships can be developed in an instant.
And that’s exactly what happened — when like magic, two talented individuals became as close as brothers simply through musical interaction.
This relationship was first sparked without a single word being said, but purely through the command of an instrument and vocal delivery of a note.
Such was the friendship between guitarist extraordinaire Robert Verma (who passed away last month) and US bluesman Richie Reed.
The duo met while Reed — who owned a music shop in Samoa — flew into Fiji just after the 1987 military coup to pick up a keyboard for one of his customers from the godfather of the Fiji music scene — Ken Jansen.
“I came to Fiji for that reason but the real purpose of my trip was to see first-hand the great Fijian musicians I had heard so much about,” Reed shared.
Reed’s noodling with guitars at Dragon Music on Victoria Pde caught Jansen’s attention.
“He was really good, I could hear the rhythm and blues sound in his music but there was definitely a huge Jimi Hendrix influence, so I invited our greats — Tom Mawi, Wise Vatuwaqa, Mike Reymond and Robert Verma to come and check him out,” said Jansen.
Through that first meeting, Verma invited Reed to join his band, Nostradamus, at the Hyatt Regency (now Warwick Fiji Resort) at the Coral Coast. After a brief stopover at Verma’s family home in Pacific Harbour, the duo journeyed on to Korolevu.
In the mid ’80s Nostradamus was regarded as one of the premier local bands. The group featured the unparalleled vocal talent of Lia Osbourne, keyboard genius Erone Paspatu, bassist Sunny Nautu and drummer Itu.
“Robert gave me one of his electric guitars to play and I decided to check the band out before joining them on stage,” said Reed.
“They played the intro of Brook Benton’s Rainy Night In Georgia and when Lia walked on and sang, I just couldn’t contain myself, tears welled in my eyes, she was such a powerful singer and the band was so amazing.
“Nostradamus was on the money — they were no-nonsense and very disciplined.
“And the lounge was absolutely full, it was packed out with guests and also locals. “Robert introduced me and I really didn’t know what to play when the band broke into the intro of George Benson’s This Masquerade.
“Their intro just blew me away, it took everyone right out into the cosmos and as Robert, Ronnie, Itu and Sonny continued to express themselves, Robert turned to me and said ‘blood take a solo let it rip.’
“I wasn’t a true jazz guitarist but the groove was on and so I let it rip and after the song we brought the house down and Robert then reintroduced me as the newest member of Nostradamus group.
“That night a brotherhood was forged on that stage and it continued until I heard of his passing in November this year.”
Reed got to play with the cream of Fiji’s musical talent including stellar performances from 1987 to 1989 with jazz-fusion band Reference Point which featured bassist George Nuimatawalu, legendary drummer Paul Steven, guitar whiz Mike Reymond, Sam Mawi on keyboards Mike Preston on saxophone and percussion and the Stevens sisters Lani and Sala on lead and backing vocals.
He also got to jam with the pioneers of smooth jazz in Fiji, Tui Ravai and the Freelancers.
“Fiji is a country full of diverse talents — I am also humbled and proud to have jammed with a great drummer called Rusi Ralulu, an awesome keyboardist Homer Fare, another great musician called Seru Serevi and Krishna Murti on sitar.
“Fijians have a natural flair and such great personalities and it comes out in the way they play, Fiji is indeed a musical paradise.”
Reed resides in American Samoa but he hopes to visit Fiji soon.
