The Great Society
Book Band
Genre : Rock From : Shillong - India Status : Active No of Hits : 279
Rudy Wallang - Guitar and Vocals
Sam Shullai - Drums and percussion
Ferdy Dkhar - Bass
Lou Majaw - Vocals and rhythm guitar
The Great Society was formed in the mid '70's with Lou Majaw (vocals/rhythm guitar), Arjun Sen (vocals/guitar) and Bert Cooper (drums) as the founding members. In 1980, Rudy Wallang joined the band as bass player. Soon after, Sam Shullai replaced Bert on drums. When Arjun decided to head out to Delhi, Rudy took up playing guitar and Ferdy Dkhar joined in as the bass player. Despite a series of impressive lineup changes in the twelve years of it's existence, Keith Wallang on drums, late Babit Jyrwa on drums and bass, Danny Shullai on bass and Bob Lyngdoh on harp, The Great Society is essentially Lou, Arjun, Rudy, Sam and Ferdy. The Great Society disbanded in 1992 but do perform ocassionally at reunions such as the Reggae Riddim Festival in February 2001. The Great Society toured the country extensively, earning cult status as one of the most dynamic livewire acts in the country.When The Great Society disbanded, Lou Majaw, singer/songwriter and the main force behind the band, took some time out before getting The Great Society together again with new members. All the while, Lou has been writing new songs and is now working on a solo album.Arjun Sen, who has now been in Delhi since 1986, first began playing the hotel circuit and is now one of the most respected and in-demand music composers in the music business in India. He is currently working on building up his own recording studio.Rudy Wallang, leaving The Great Society in 1993, along with Sam Shullai and Ferdy Dkhar formed the band, Mojo. Together with his brother Keith, Rudy has started off a recording studio in Shillong and is now busy with projects for local as well as outstation artists.Ferdy and Sam, besides playing with Mojo are also otherwise occupied. Sam works with a mobile phone company while Ferdy heads the Western Music department at the local All India Radio Station. Even though The Great Society split up a long time ago, all ex members have been keeping in touch with each other, the binding force being the fantastic music that they created together. At this point in time, while each of them has grown musically, it appears the urge to re-create their music has become even stronger.
Band Members
Rudy Wallang - Guitar and VocalsRudy Wallang(born 14.09.62): He started playing with his instrument at a very tender age before graduating first to the ukulele and then to the guitar. He formed the bands “Jerk,” “Electric Head,” “Rubber Band” while in college and prior to joining The Great Society.
Sam Shullai - Drums and percussionSam Shullai(born 02.10.65): He is the ‘thinker’ of the band. What he thinks about only he knows! He started off on his mother’s pots and pans before graduating to the drums as the young age of nine. He got his own drumkit at fifteen and formed a band called “XLN” before joining The Great Society.
Ferdy Dkhar - BassFerdie Dkhar (born 28.08.65): The gregarious joker of the band, he provides the “one-liners” when he is not playing bass.
Lou Majaw - Vocals and rhythm guitarLou Majaw, singer/songwriter and the main force behind the band. Lou has been writing new songs and is now working on a solo album.
Song(s):External links
