Eddy DeMello

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.

Background He was born Manuel Edward DeMello on November 10, 1937, in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. He came to Bermuda in September 1949. As well as a prominent businessman, he has been described as an entertainment impresario, and longtime champion of Bermuda's Portuguese community. His involvement in the music business included being a record store owner and record production. He was one Bermuda's most successful concert promoters. His store was the Music Box on Reid Street.

For seventeen years he was president of the Vasco da Gama Club. For his work and contribution to Bermuda's music and art he was awarded the Bermuda Arts Council's Lifetime Achievement in 2004.

Record labels and production 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. Other artists he produced were The Gents with their garage punk classic, "If You Don’t Come Back". Other groups include The Weads, The Bermuda Strollers and The Klan. He also designed and provided the liner notes for the Beautiful Bermuda album by The Merrymen. Duane is the name of DeMello's son.

+ List of 45s 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 The Invaders "Lost Time" / "Bossa Blue" Duane 101 1970 Stone Foxx "Gypsy Lady" / "Agamemnon" Duane 100 1973

+ Albums Act Release Catalogue Year Notes # The Savages Live n’ Wild Duane LP-1047 1965 The Invaders Spacing Out Duane LP-1101/1102 1970

Promotion 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. Among the artists that DeMello was instrumental in bringing to Bermuda were Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Amalia Rodrigues.