NOWADAYS, Simione Kuruvoli uses his hands to knead away aches and pains from rugby gladiators who are lucky enough to don the national jersey.
But wind the clock back to the early ’70s and discover when Kuruvoli used his hands and feet to drive the beat of a band called The Mules from behind a drum set.
Led by long-haired rock guitarist Maxie Columbus, the band made a huge impact on the live music scene from 1972 to 1984.
Kuruvoli, along with vocalist Bill Vatubua, bassist Pele and rhythm guitarist Ratulevu Sorovoki provided the backdrop for Columbus’ reign as a rock-god on the local music scene for more than a decade.
Although many who were around then peg his band’s performance at the 1970 Battle of the Bands as the highlight of his career, Columbus says his stint at the Bali Hai with Kuruvoli and company ranked among the most memorable.
“When people reflect on Fiji’s musical past, the same names are often said in awe,” Columbus shared.
“And I have a lot of respect for all those great artists but I have to say that my band at the Bali Hai was an amazing outfit.
“Simi had solid footwork and he was really fast with his hands back in the day.
“The thing is not many people know about how much Simi contributed to the music scene in Fiji.
“They only know him as a masseur but together with the rest of the boys, he played a huge part in taking Fiji music forward.
“They delivered the goods night after night and, sadly, their contribution to local music has gone unnoticed.”
Columbus, who now resides in the US, will be performing with Kuruvoli and other local artists at the G4 Tour Benefit concert at the Royal Suva Yacht Club this Saturday.
Also performing at the event are jazz-fusion guitarist Robert Verma and up-and-coming youngster Adrian Narayan.
While his name may be unfamiliar to many who follow the local live music circuit, Columbus is regarded among his peers as one of Fiji’s guitar virtuosos. Just as Tom Mawi is recognised as the king of jazz and bebop, Columbus is a master of blues, jazz-fusion, funk and rock.
In as far as depth and fluency, only a handful of six-stringers are worthy of being mentioned in the same vein as Mawi, and Columbus is a member of this esteemed circle.
While performing at the G4 charity event is the primary reason he is in the country, Columbus also hopes to achieve a few lifelong dreams while he is here.
First and foremost is a get-together with his former Bali Hai band mates.
“I’ll be getting together with some of the guys I used to perform with in the ’70s and we’ll present a bass guitar to Ratulevu.
“Next on the list is a jam session with some of the guys from my era — people like Mawi and Robert Verma.
“And I am also planning a trip to Levuka, where I was born.
“I’ve got a film crew travelling with me and we are planning on going to the Old Capital and climbing the 199 steps on Mission Hill and while we’re there, we’ll record a funky version of Sai Levuka Ga with a singer that I respect a lot, Jimmy Subhaydas.”
Columbus has lost the trademark thick mane that once adorned his head but he has not lost his passion for music.
In fact, he plans on capturing on film as many jam sessions as he can while on tour here.
“I can’t wait to get up on stage or around the tanoa and talk to my musical brothers through the medium of music,” the 63-year-old shared.
“Unfortunately, two of the guys that I performed with in 1970 — Michael Wong and Lagi Tamani — have passed on.
“So, I’m using the time I have left to capture every magical moment with every musician I meet in Fiji, young or old.
“And this Saturday will be a very special event because I’ll be jamming with people like Aneil Kumar on drums, John Lal on bass guitar and vocalists like Jimmy Nathu, Ken Janson, Eni Kumar and youngsters like Adrian Narayan and others.
“So in a way, it will be a walk down memory lane to revisit the music of Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and Eric Clapton and, at the same time, it will be an opportunity to jam with young guns who are making a name for themselves on the local music scene.”
Columbus grew up in a musical home. His father, James, was a guitarist and leader of a renowned group that emerged out of Toorak in the ’60s called The Empire Old Boys.
The band’s repertoire consisted primarily of Hindi folk songs and tunes made famous from movies.
His interest in music was no secret in the Columbus household and, as a youngster, he often “borrowed” his old man’s Hohner guitar and jammed with the few kids in the neighbourhood who knew a chord or two.
In 1967, Columbus formed The Mules, a relatively unknown band that would emerge out of obscurity to snatch the 1970 Battle of the Bands competition and in later years entice guitar-worshipping fans to the Bali Hai nightclub — which was situated next to the Phoenix Theatre on Rodwell Rd in Suva.
Back when iTaukei music was not the in-thing, Maxie’s Mules played their versions of classic Fijian tunes as part of their regular repertoire.
“During the ’70s, we were the only nightclub in Suva that was playing Fijian music.
“Marika Gata, Joe Heritage, Sakiusa Bulicokocoko and Wise Vatuwaqa were regulars.
“And then at times, people like Alan Whippy, Tui Bose, Clement Joseph and Vili Likusuasua would drop by for a jam.”
Columbus broke musical barriers in the ’70s by being one of a handful of musicians who was at home in any setting — from the nightclub scene right down to sigidrigi circles.
His prowess on the guitar forced people who normally wouldn’t venture towards Walu Bay, to travel in hordes to watch Columbus play.
At a time when most live music connoisseurs frequented venues like the Grand Pacific Hotel and the Golden Dragon on Victoria Parade, Maxi’s Mules drew decent crowds to the Bali Hai, despite its location in the seedier side of the Capital City.
Columbus cited Eric Clapton, Deep Purple and Jimi Hendrix as early influences but he also attributes his guitar prowess to endless nights spent at Popo’s Grog Shop in Toorak.
It was here he learnt the melodic side of the guitar from virtuosos like Wise Vatuwaqa.
Columbus enjoyed a long and illustrious music career and performed at numerous venues like the Travelodge Hotel (now Holiday Inn), Club Hotel, Bula Talei Night Club (now the site of Singh’s Curry House and Cafe Victoria), Isa lei Hotel (now a Seventh Day Adventist school in Lami), Trade Winds Hotel (now Novotel Lami), Beachcomber Hotel, Korolevu Beach Hotel, Fisherman’s Lodge (now the naval base at Togalevu), Fijiana Night Club in Nadi (now a clothing outlet in Nadi Town), Moon’s Night Club and Raymond’s Night Club in Lautoka.
This Saturday, he will relive the music that took him to the pinnacle of the local scene by performing songs from that era with Suva-based band Deja vu.
The Fiji Times is a sponsor of the G4 Tour Benefit concert.
