Roger Menezes reflects on musical journey of hits and memories

Roger Menezes' name will resonate with anyone who's grown up listening to the soundtrack of Sri Lanka's golden era of music.

- BY MICHELLE THERESE ALLES

Roger Menezes

With a career spanning over five decades, he's shared the stage with legendary bands like The Jetliners, The Savages, Thunderbirds, and Fireflies, and later led his own ensemble, Roger and the Webs, before making Sydney, Australia, his home in 1973.

Known for his signature 'hits and memories' style, a blend of jazz, pop, and classic rock, Roger still draws crowds whenever he returns to Sri Lanka, performing at major venues and connecting with devoted fans. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his musical journey, the evolution of Sri Lanka's music scene, and his thoughts on the role of AI in shaping the future of music.

Q: Roger, take us back to the very beginning: what inspired you to pursue music, and when did you realise it could become a career?

A: Being a Menezes, music was always in my DNA. I started playing drums at the age of 10, but what really inspired me was listening to the collection of jazz vinyls owned by my father, Mickey Menezes. From there, I never looked back; I just kept playing and loving music with a passion.

Q: Who were your earliest musical influences, and how did they shape your style and lead to the most defining moment in your musical journey?

A: My earliest musical influences were the jazz greats such as Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Glenn Miller, Stan Getz, Barney Kessel, and Gene Krupa.