SHILLONG, Dec 27: Renowned drummer Samlang Ha-oo Shullai passed away on Monday. He was 59.
Sam, fondly called by many as “Sammy”, is regarded as one of the best drummers of Meghalaya and was associated with many popular bands like Great Society, Mojo, Soulmate and 4th Element.
During an interaction with The Shillong Times here on Tuesday, Rudy Wahlang, a friend and associate of Sammy for almost 42 years, described his passing as a shock.
“We are not able to comprehend till now that Sammy is no more. We will miss him tremendously. He is one of the best drummers I have had the honour of playing with,” Rudy said.
Remembering Sammy, he said their music careers started almost together.
“I joined the Great Society in 1981. Sammy joined the Great Society three years later in 1984. We formed Mojo in 1985 and Soulmate in 2003,” he said.
Wahlang said that Sammy has played in all the three albums of Soulmate.
The last time the two shared the stage together was at The Evening Club on November 4 during the event ‘Down Memory Lane’.
“This was also the last that Sammy played. It was a musical evening mixed with different artists and singers. Sammy was the main drummer for all the songs,” Rudy said.
He said that Sammy has been an inspiration for many drummers not only from Meghalaya but Darjeeling and Nagaland too.
“Even my son Vincent Tariang was inspired by Sammy. He is now one of the drummers in Shillong thanks to Sam,” he said.
Trying to explain the character of Sam, Rudy Wahlang said he was a quiet person but played with sheer passion feeling every beat of a song when on drums.
“We had a great connection since drums and bass go together. We understood each other so well. When we look at each other, we know what to do (next). My connection with Sammy cannot be measured or explained. Whenever we met it felt like it was just yesterday,” Rudy, who’s a prolific guitarist himself, said.
Not many are aware, according to him, that Sammy was the first drummer to really play reggae.
“There were two reggae songs in the first album of the Great Society, Breakthrough, which was recorded in 1985. It was the first reggae song by an Indian band. But not many people know about this,” Rudy said.
A spectrum of music lovers and admirers of Sam conveyed their condolences over the passing of Sammy among who was Chief Minister Conrad Sangma as well.
“Mr. Sam Shullai not only played the drums into all music lovers’ hearts but was the heartbeat of every band and artist he made music with. Very sad to learn about the demise of this great musician. My condolences to his family, friends and fans. May he Rest In Peace,” Conrad tweeted.
Noted singer and composer Lamphang Manik Syiemlieh also tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the news of the demise of the legendary drummer, Ma Sam Shullai. I had the honour to perform with him a couple of times and what can I say, he’s ultimately the best. Ma Sam, we will miss you. Thank you for your art. God bless Amy and Nicky and family. God bless 4th Element. May God give you strength.”
Lastly, his funeral will be held at Laitumkhrah Presbyterian church cemetery, Lawjynriew, on Wednesday. The funeral service will start at Umpling Dongshaneng Block VI at 1 pm.
