Books

Biddu makes a comeback

Legendary musician and the face of the Indian disco ear of the 1970’s, Biddu tells his story in his latest autobiography, ‘Made In India- Biddu- Adventures of a Lifetime’.

After a long sabbatical, legendary musician, song writer, and composer, Biddu Appaiah best known for smash hit chart busters of the 70’s, has come out with his autobiography ‘Made in India- Adventures of a Lifetime’ published by Harper Collins. Hits like Kung Fu Fighting sung by Carl Douglas, Disco Deewane, Boom Boom, and songs in Feroz Khan’s Qurbaani practically defined the music of the era. Biddu, born 1945 composed a number of hit records during the early part of the British Disco scene of the mid-1970s. He lifted the careers of British Disco music stars Tina Charles, Carl Douglas, Jimmy James among others; and later found success producing several hits in India. He launched the career of Pakistani singer Nazia Hassan, and Zoheb Hassan and produced Indipop hits for a number of Indian acts, notably Alisha Chinai. From the mid-1970s, Biddu has also been producing his own pop instrumental albums as Biddu Orchestra.

Biddu, now is still active in the Indian and western music scene, producing albums which are more spiritual and eastern-oriented. After doing music for so long, Biddu didn’t want to be known only as a musician. He wants to continue his legacy as a writer as well. MyBangalore caught up with Biddu speaking to him about music, inspirations and his amazing life so far. He launched his book at the Reliance Time Out on Cunningham Street. “The idea for the autobiography was not mine. Three years ago I wanted to write novels. I didn’t want to begin and end my life with music; I wanted to write a book. Last February, I came to India, and all the publishers I approached wanted me to write an autobiography. And I kept refuting it because an autobiography was something very personal. Finally Harper Collins cut me a three book deal, and told me that they wanted to know my story, simply because I was known as a musician, and not as a novelist” said Biddu.


He added, “Writing the auto biography was quick, because I started writing it in Spain about 6 months back. It involves my life which is too numerous to quote in one conversation. It begins with my birth, my journey from here, and I’ve written the book in a fast paced humours style.” The book is a story of how boy meets world, and makes it big. Biddu, who is originally from the district of Coorg, was born in Bangalore. After two attempts of running away from home at the age of seventeen, he succeeded the third time. Speaking about the journey from his first band, ‘The Trojan’s’ to Made in India, his short stint with drugs, his journey through the Middle East, and his big break with Kung Fu Fighting, he said, “It’s a bit like talking about the book, its been a roller coaster ride since the early days and I feel very lucky to be successful. How I left the country and get to England, hitchhiking across the Middle East. This travel agent got me on a pilgrimage boat to Mecca. And I was wearing these cowboy boots, guitar and 1000 bucks in my pocket”.

The musician added that when he got to London, he would give himself two weeks to make it big. “When you are a youngster, you never think of failure. I left India to be a singer, not to be a composer. Young people are much more adventurous than old people. I gave myself two weeks to make it big. I tried running away from Bangalore twice when I was a kid, in fact I spend more time running and I finally ran away at the age of 17”. From Bangalore, to the Middle East to Great Britain, Biddu has come a long way with his music. He was recently awarded the 5th Jack Daniel's Annual Rock Awards 2009-10, Lifetime Achievement Award.

“After a few years, I didn’t want to do pop music all the time. So, my last album, was a very spiritual, eastern oriented one inspired post the 9/11 incidents. I think it gave every one of us a wake up call, and it had stunned all of us. I thought I’d love to do something which is spiritual. That was pretty much the last of my music, but one should ‘never say never’. At this moment I feel like I want to write, I’ve been a professional musician from the age of 13 and life is not just one thing” added Biddu.

Steering away from his book, he also spoke of the current music scene in India. “Outside of Bollywood nothing is happening. Television stations, only concentrate on Bollywood, and they over kill of all the Bollywood stuff and the poor guys who are trying to make it in the pop or rock scene do not make it big. Here, it’s Bollywood or nothing. I don’t think the media is adventures enough, they follow like sheep and besides Bollywood is where the money is” added Biddu.
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The book is available at all leading outlets, and is priced at Rs. 399

Tags: Biddu, Made In India, Appaiah, Kung Fu Fighting, Tina Charles, Carl Douglas, British Disco, autobiog