Biography

Rhett May has had a colourful past, born in 1950 and raised in Calcutta, India he was exposed to the sounds, colours and smells of the East at a very early age. These prolific memories and experiences shaped Rhett’s musical direction and unable to contain the wealth of music he had absorbed and the natural talent he had, Rhett soon started his own band.
20 years later he moved to Australia, and spent a number of years collaborating with James Payne. Their work together was so inspiring that it caught the attentions of George Harrison and Apple Records. After his success as a solo act Rhett May switched fields and actually hibernated in the corporate world for around 30 years!
However, like a fine wine, Rhett May emerged from the business world better with age both personally and musically.

The immersions in the Indian culture when he was young lead him to discover all types of Canatic and Hindustani music. On any given day he could pick up a sitar or tabla and melt away into his own world of melodies and percussion. A World away from the hustle and bustle of the cacophony of Calcutta’s urbanisation, poverty, pollution and traffic congestion.
However, the daily ragas were one of ‘noises’ that Rhett didn’t mind so much… The word rag means colour or passion and is thought to be an acoustic method of colouring the mind of the listener with an emotion. Musically it is not a tune, melody, scale, mode or any concept that the English language has a word for. It is a combination of different characteristics. You can see how Rhett May’s musical teachings were somewhat out the ordinary for Western culture. However, it is this uniqueness that has woven itself through his musical career, creating the wonderful tapestry and texture that you will find in his music and lyrics.
Although engrossed in Indian musical culture, there was still room for western musicians to influence and direct his passion. Indian cinemas featured musical movies from Cream and Jimi Hendrix and Elvis and Ricky Nelson could be heard on the airwaves.

One particularly strong memory from his childhood that shaped his style was hearing his mother and father playing their records. One of Rhett’s favourites was “A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation) by Marty Robbins. Another was “The Ink Spots” with their beautiful harmonies, voices and ability to blend eastern and western sounds with a tabla.

Rhett began the first band named ‘The Woolly Bully’s’ at the tender age of 15 with school friends Preston Bortello and James Payne. Not long after they had their first taste of fame, when in 1966 they won the Battle of the Bands. They were a huge hit and performed at some of the hottest venues of the time including Trincas, The Park Hotel and the Mocambo’s.
With their humble beginnings, they did not realise that this band was actually set to evolve into something new and big in the future. The Woolly Bully’s ultimately became the Flint Stones, one of India’s most successful pop bands.


CONTACT:

Record Label & Publishers

Blue Pie Pty Ltd
EXPO112 Unit 20
McEvoy Street
Alexandria NSW 2015
Australia
e: sale@bluepie.com.au
p:612 9310 0155
f: 612 9310 0166
w: www.bluepie.com.au


PRESS & MEDIA

Blue Pie Pty Ltd
EXPO112 Unit 20
112 McEvoy Street
Alexandria NSW 2015
Australia
w: www.bluepie.com.au
e: pr@bluepie.com.au
p:612 9310 0155
f: 612 9310 0166
w: www.bluepie.com.au


BOOKINGS & MANAGEMENT

Blue Pie Pty Ltd
EXPO112 Unit 20
112 McEvoy Street
Alexandria NSW 2015
Australia
w: www.bluepie.com.au
e: pr@bluepie.com.au
p:612 9310 0155
f: 612 9310 0166
w: www.bluepie.com.au