PETER SARSTEDT From the KOLKATA "STATESMAN" 9th October 2005.
"Never Say Goodbye" ‘Where do you go to my lovely’ put
Peter Sarstedt on the global music scene. But his roots still pull
him to India. The singer speaks from the heart to Mathures Paul "You
talk like Marlene Dietrich A perennial favourite. Peter Sarstedt made his debut on the British folk scene as a riposte to Bob Dylan. He cultivated the image of a suave wanderer of global bohemia. But it was not until 1969 when he restored his family fortunes with the UK number one, "Where Do You Go To My Lovely". The song has since become a classic sharing the Ivor Novello Award for 1969 with David Bowie’s Space oddity. Peter’s songs are world famous and have been praised by every listener. Much has been said about his musical talents but his roots have somehow been overshadowed. Born in New Delhi, he moved to England when he was 11 years old in the early 1950s. “Since I left young, my memories are mainly of school days at Sherwood College, Nainital and Victoria College, Kurseong. Coming home from boarding school by train, the freedom of Kolkata always gladdened my heart. My two brothers and I ran the streets from dawn till dusk, experiencing the city. Mum, dad, sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents, music, cinema and literature, the river, the people, all those memories,” recalls Peter. Leaving India was not Peter’s decision. “As far as I was concerned, India was home. I suppose being English speaking, the education of the children played an important part in the family moving to London. It was March 1954 when I left.” In 1969, another single, "Frozen Orange Juice", sold well throughout Europe. Although a forerunner of the early 70s “self rock” school, his style was not solemn enough for its collegian listeners. In 1973 Peter teamed up with his brother Kane and another sibling, Robin Sarstedt, on the album "Worlds Apart", together. He resumed his solo career with the issue of more albums. Peter was based in Copenhagen for several years and he settled on a Wiltshire farm with his American wife Joanna. He returned to recording in the late 90s with England’s lane with assistance from Kane. “Kolkata is the place I remember most from my childhood in India. I was happy there. While I was there, India became independent. I remember the terrible rioting to which we locked our doors and windows. And, looking back, I can recall injuring my head in a cycle accident in the Maidan.” Reminiscing about his boyhood days Peter continues, “I’ve never experienced a place as vibrant as Kolkata. I’ve described the city in a song recorded by the Sarstedt Brothers in 1973. It was great for us to get back to the city after the nine months away in the hills (boarding school). That made it all the more exciting. Every day was wonderful — we flew kites, jumped into and out of trams and ‘garries’, played cricket in the park, cycled around, walked through the markets, went to the pictures, bought food in Chinatown, ate hot gram and sweets. We never knew politics.” The Anglo Indian community kept the city jiving with its penchant for good music. “I remember laughing my head off at an American pop song, loving the syncopation at my elder sisters’ place (my father married twice). I also remember my dad playing his harmonica every night. My parents were great ballroom dancers, they were members of the Rangers Club. But the backdrop to it all was the music of the street, a soundtrack as it were, all kinds of Indian music, religious, pop, classical, all mixed up together.” In the late 70s, members of the Anglo Indian community left the country for Australia, the UK and the US. Good old days were coming to an end. “If you feel that India is your home and you have a choice in the matter, then you stay, otherwise you leave and keep your fingers crossed. On occasion, Anglo-Indians deny their roots. If they are absorbed by the new country, then it’s fine. Home is where your loved ones are,” continues Peter. Currently, the singer is putting together a new Internet profile with his two brothers, besides his love for reading and writing. “Kolkata is the place I want to see again, soon,” rounds off Peter. Note: It is a fact that Peter and his brother were both at Victoria School. Peter was a few years behind me. One of his cousins lives here in Townsville and is a good friend of mine, she was a Sarstedt before she married.
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