Features
Home is where the heart is …
Multi-talented Roger Menezes, who migrated to Australia 50 years ago, still picks his land of birth, Sri Lanka, as home sweet home, and whatever opportunities that comes his way to travel, Sri Lanka is always on top of his travel list.
He was here in May, this year, and spent four months entertaining guests at the Galadari Hotel’s Lobby.
He went back to Australia, towards the end of August, and…yes, he is back again!
He will be seen in action at the Galadari till this weekend (29th) but will continue to stay in Colombo for a few more weeks, he said, adding that he also has plans to entertain the folks down south.
“Nothing finalised, as yet but we are negotiating.”
On his last trip to Sri Lanka, Roger increased his fan base and many are now eagerly awaiting his arrival.
For the record, Roger Menezes is the son of maestro Miki and Cynthia Menezes.
New duo in the making …Roger (electric guitar), Manethree (acoustic guitar)
He started his musical career at the age of 10, playing drums for his dad’s band. He went on to play drums with groups such as Banknotes, Thunderbirds and the Tony Felice Blue Star band.
To widen his musical capability, he commenced classes in both piano and theory, under the guidance of Avril Bartholomeusz.
Roger’s grandfather is the famous “Papa” Menezes who was instrumental in bringing western music to Sri Lanka when he migrated from Goa. Papa could see the talent that Roger displayed and it wasn’t long before he gave his Selmer Alto sax to him and Roger had no problems mastering this instrument.
At 15, Roger’s musical career had taken off and he was much in demand; he joined the Savages, playing drums for them, and then went on to play for the Fireflies. He also filled in on keyboards for Helen Lucas (his aunty).
Roger formed his own band, called Roger and the Webs, but continued to freelance with other groups, such as Sam the Man.
Later, he joined the Jetliners as their keyboard/saxophonist, playing guitar, as well, for the group.
“I also played bass guitar on many of their recordings.”
Roger Menezes: Sri Lanka … his home sweet home
In Sydney, Roger had his own band “Stay Tuned”. They were involved with most of the musical events for the Olympics 2000, also performing New Year’s Eve for five consecutive years at the Centrepoint Tower in Sydney. Ronnie and Helen Lucas (his uncle and aunty) were members of this group.
Roger is still active in the music scene in Sydney, performing as a one man band. Two of his cousins – Cathy and Peter Menezes whose father was none other than Tom Menezes, a great trumpeter – live in Melbourne. They, too, are involved in the music scene.
Roger has met up with a few international celebrities, such as George Benson, James and John Morrison, George Golla, and his idol – Hank Marvin of the Shadows.
He was with the New South Wales Police Force for 41 years, and now that he has retired, he says Sri Lanka is the best place to be.
He says he is keen to give music lovers here something different, on a regular basis, and is currently working on a unique duo combination – Roger on electric guitar and 15-year-old Manethree on acoustic guitar. And they both sing!
Rogers goes back to Australia in November and will see Sri Lanka again in mid-December … until 14th February, 2025!