He is certainly one of a kind. A man who revolutionized the sound of bands in Goa. He also helped bands by bringing in new instruments from abroad. He was certainly a man of great vision and enterprise. Henry Pinheiro passed away on Friday leaving behind scores of sad people with special memories. He was 64 and passed away
in hospital.
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Linda Diniz Braganza, who played on the keyboards in his band ‘Ecstasy’ says Henry was a man passionately in love with music. She says, “I went with him to Bangalore to perform in shows. The keyboard was his and we remained close friends and did many shows, weddings and dances. We spent nights at shows as a band. He used to go to Singapore to get equipment for us and other bands. He helped organise the Red, Black and Gold dance. He used to have Carnival floats and win prizes. For him, music was everything. He had his music shop opposite National theatre and he introduced new music to Goans. He helped so many musicians. He had a restaurant in Britona at his residence. I miss him a lot and a lot of musicians will too, especially those who he helped.”
An old school friend, Darryl Figueiredo says they met at Don Bosco, Panjim. He says, “When Fr Edward D’Souza formed a band called Oramins, Henry was the lead singer. Then, in later years, we formed a band called ‘Ecstasy’. Henry was the vocalist and on the rhythm guitar. Our friendship continued till the end. I met him two days before he passed away in the ICU. It is shocking that he is gone and I cannot accept that fact.”
Another old friend, Tony Dias, President of Clube Nacional expresses his shock saying he knew him for forty years. He says, “He was a good man who revolutionized sound and music and entertainment in Goa. He had a band called ‘Ecstasy’, one of the top bands. He helped all the bands improve their sound by bringing new equipment and instruments. He had musical shows. He did a lot for Goa. He had two pubs and created Henry’s Music Cafe. He helped Goans in the music line. He will be missed by us and everyone in Goa.”
Another long time associate was Kevin Mendes who says he knew Henry from the 1980s. They were both of the same age. He says, “Henry used to come on his bike to Aldona where I was based and hire my band ‘La Scala’. This was necessary because there were no phones those days. He also hired us for an event called Rain Count at Clube Nacional. He then booked us for three weddings in Panjim. He then formed his own band called ‘Ecstacy’ in 1983. I had an opportunity to play in the band but I had an Indian keyboard. A week later I was approached by a Panjim based band called ‘Stranger’. I played for ten years with the band and on occasions even played with Henry’s band, side by side. He was a nice person always smiling and a good businessman. He was the main man who started bringing new equipment from Singapore. He made several trips and brought in equipment. He was very helpful. Even musicians from Mumbai used to use his services to get equipment”.
Later, he started Henry’s Music Cafe where he used to sell cassettes, CDs and organise events. He also had a music system for hire for bands. Henry was also very helpful. Kevin adds, that he went with Henry in his truck to Mumbai to help a friend who was selling his flat. They returned to Goa with all the furniture. Another trip to Mumbai in that truck involved his band which had to go to Mumbai for a wedding. This happened in 1987. He said they were great days.
Henry organised a picnic for the band at Tiracol fort. The few musicians who came would enjoy the overnight picnic which included games and music. Henry, he said, was a man of his word. He also had a band called ‘New Faces’ in which Kevin had the occasion to play side by side. Kevin’s band was called Cream. After that, Henry stopped playing. He organised a dance called Red, Gold and Black and Kevin’s band played at the dance organised near Hotel Mandovi.
“It was a competition. Clube Nacional had a traditional dance on the last day of the Carnival called Red and Black. Everyone had to be dressed in those colours. At some point, Henry felt the need to organise Red, Black and Gold. It was very successful,” says Kevin.
Known as the cultural king of Goa, Francisco Martins says Henry was a man who provided all the sound for all his shows, be it musical or food festivals. He says, “He was very jovial, good fun and a very nice man. In those days, there was no one who could get a good sound and he then stepped in. He was the best. I have known him since 1978. Last night, I was counting the number of friends who have died and I counted 228. He will certainly be missed.”
Perhaps the ideal man to end it all will be Joaquim D’Costa who was the drummer of ‘Ecstasy’ and ‘New Faces’. He says, “He was my classmate and a good friend. I knew him from his school days in the 60’s. He was a good, helpful man. I am now playing in the band, ‘Sound of Person’ but those days were something. I will miss him. He was a good man. I really enjoyed playing for ‘Ecstasy.”
Henry touched many lives and he leaves behind pleasant memories.
