Eddy DeMello | |
Birth Name: | Manuel Edward DeMello |
Known For: | Contribution to music and art of Bermuda |
Eddy DeMello was a popular Bermudian entrepreneur, businessman, music promoter, record label owner and record producer. He has also made a notable contribution to the garage rock genre.
He was born Manuel Edward DeMello on November 10, 1937, in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. He came to Bermuda in September 1949.[1] As well as a prominent businessman, he has been described as an entertainment impresario, and longtime champion of Bermuda's Portuguese community.[2] [3] His involvement in the music business included being a record store owner and record production. He was one Bermuda's most successful concert promoters.[4] His store was the Music Box on Reid Street.
For seventeen years he was president of the Vasco da Gama Club.[5] For his work and contribution to Bermuda's music and art he was awarded the Bermuda Arts Council's Lifetime Achievement in 2004.[6]
Starting in the 1960s, he produced many recordings that appeared his Duane and Edmar record labels. One album was Live 'n Wild by The Savages which is now considered a garage rock collectors piece.[7] Other artists he produced were The Gents with their garage punk classic, "If You Don’t Come Back".[8] Other groups include The Weads, The Bermuda Strollers and The Klan.[9] [10] He also designed and provided the liner notes for the Beautiful Bermuda album by The Merrymen.[11] Duane is the name of DeMello's son.[4]
Artists to have releases on his Duane label include Bishop Kane, The Savages, Silvertones, and The Weads.[12]
Act | Release | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Silvertones | "Hurricane" / "Groovy Baby" | Duane 1021 | 1964 | |
The Ebbtides | "Star of Love" / "First Love" | Duane 1022 | 1964 | |
Lee Curtis | "My Love Don’t Go" / "I’d Do Anything For You" | Duane 1023 | 1964 | |
The Weads | "Today" / "Don't Call My Name" | Duane 4042 | 1965 | |
The Savages | "No No No" / "She's Gone" | Duane 45-1043 | 1965 | |
Bishop Kane | "Tenderness of You" / "Any Time That You Are Lonely" | Duane 1046 | 1966 | |
The Gents | "If You Don't Come Back" / "I'll Cry" | Duane 1048 | 1966 | |
The Savages | "Roses Are Red My Love" / "Quiet Town" | Duane 45-1049 | 196? | |
The Savages | "You're On My Mind" / "The World Ain't Round It's Square" | Duane 45-1054 | 1966 | |
The Invaders | "Spacing Out" / "Latin Lips" | Duane 100 | 1969 | [13] [14] |
The Invaders | "Lost Time" / "Bossa Blue" | Duane 101 | 1970 | [15] |
Stone Foxx | "Gypsy Lady" / "Agamemnon" | Duane 100 | 1973 | [16] [17] |
Act | Release | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Savages | Live n’ Wild | Duane LP-1047 | 1965 | [18] [19] |
The Invaders | Spacing Out | Duane LP-1101/1102 | 1970 | [20] [21] |
DeMello brought The Merrymen to Bermuda where they spent six weeks. This resulted in a friendship between him and the group which lasted for years.[22] Among the artists that DeMello was instrumental in bringing to Bermuda were Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Amalia Rodrigues.[6]
Following a long illness, DeMello died on March 6, 2013, at the age of 75.[23]