Midnight Special - a Curtis special

By Mahes Perera

In the 80s and the years before, the Western music industry in Sri Lanka comprised musicians whose creative approach reflected their commitment to unique expressions.

One such musician was Curtis von Haght a multi-instrumentalist whose first instrument is the guitar but is equally at home with a bass or the keyboards. The last time he enjoyed the scenic beauty of his homeland was in 2011 when he came back with his wife and daughter to give them the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our island home.

It was a pleasant surprise to see him walk in casually unannounced to a monthly soiree of musicians early November and the reception he received was one with a high decibel volume!!

Curtis von Haght now in Switzerland has his own band with his daughter Vanessa as the vocalist. The band is Midnight Special, the name inspired by the popular song, comprises two guitars, bass, drums and Curtis doubles up on keyboards. The band is featured regularly at restaurants, music festivals, wine festivals and other functions. When he goes back he has a couple of concerts with Midnight Special, the main one being the Heinbach Festival at the end of this year.

Question: In the late 70s and the 80s there was a tendency for most musicians in Sri Lanka to seek greener pastures. The popular place was Europe. If I remember right Switzerland was the 'in country' for our musicians. You did go to Switzerland, was it successful for you?

Answer: Yes. I did go to Switzerland in 1984. I went with the band Arabesque. They were looking for a guitarist and it suited me fine. There was Ossie Nugara on keyboards, Shiraaz Nooramith was our drummer and Lal de Silva was the bassist. Arabesque had a successful run and I was with them till 1985.

Change

Then along came bassist Benjy Ranabahu who wanted me to join his band Clan, I was happy to be a member of Clan. The other two were Damian Wikrematilleke and Nimal Perera.

There was a change when Damian left the band and Melantha Perera took his place. Benjy is a great guy. He helped me a lot, he was like a brother to me and so was Melantha. I cannot leave out Geoffrey and Derek, we gelled together.

Q: Pardon me for saying it, but looking back on the history of our bands playing in Europe, the members don't last long, the band breaks up after a year or two. What is it due to?

A: I can't explain it. Maybe its personality clashes. When Clan broke up we formed our own band with Asiri Gunawardena on bass, John Rodrigo - drums, I was the guitarist and Chamal Rodrigo was the keyboardist. Carlo Fonseka too joined us and we lasted only two years.

However, at the end of the two years, I split and I joined the last lap of Purple Rain in Switzerland with Geoffrey Fernando, Michael de Silva, Kevin de Almeida, Derek Wickremanayake and myself. We had a good time for one and a half years. It's strange but the good bands don't last long!

Q: After Purple Rain did your tracks lead you to join German bands.

A: Yes. I started playing with a couple of German bands and then again Benjy Ranabahu came back into the scene and offered me a place in Aquarius. Right from the beginning of my career in Sri Lanka he has helped me and I'm grateful to him. I remember my first booking in Sri Lanka was at the Golf Club New Year's Eve dance and I got paid like the others Rs. 400 for playing the whole night and I then, thought, I was the richest man in the world! Today, I'm sure the present musicians would never strum a note for that payment!!

Going back to playing with German bands I did play with a band for 13 years. The band had a happy feeling name. It was called 'Enjoy' and I was responsible for the name. We were quite successful, a popular band in that region playing a repertoire of dance and 'listen-to' music. But the rumbles began. I took a break for about six months, played with other bands. Then I got a call from the members of Enjoy that they were not happy with the replacement and would I re-join them.

I agreed but under the conditions I laid down. We played for another six years and then the rumbles started all over again. I decided to quit permanently.

Q: When you were here in Sri Lanka although you were versatile in the different genres of music, you had a leaning towards rock, how did that move into your radar?

A: Without exaggeration I got up one morning and I heard Lying Eyes by the Eagles on my neighbours radio and I got hooked on the rhythm - Southern country rock.

The surge of adrenalin made me join 'Still' - a rock band with Michael de Silva an all rounder on drums, Ananda Bodipaksha - guitar, Maxi Fernando - piano and I played bass. We played at hotels down South. The sound of the band really turned heads and Benjy Ranabahu was one of them. He got a contract for us to play in Afghanistan, I switched to guitar and he played bass.

Rock concerts

There were many rock concerts in Sri Lanka especially at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Navarangahala, BMICH and even at the Lionel Wendt. The rock scene was quite effective with cover versions of Uriah Heep, Grand Funk Railroad and Deep Purple being tossed around.

Q: You must have had the opportunity to listen to our young musicians playing rock. What would your comment be.

A: Their performances are really good. I'm not saying it to make everyone happy. There's a notable improvement. I was present at one of the band competitions and I felt that the young musicians need more experience. I will be coming back next year and hopefully I'm sure it will be a different scene with the young musicians.

Until his return, to borrow a line from the song 'Let the Midnight Special shine a light on Curtis"!