Details

Latitude

-4.214385

Longitude

152.1755

Start Date

1993-02-16

End Date

1993-02-16

Tape#2: Musical experiences and Journey of Ben Kepas (Continued) - Side A only (Side B blank) Ben Kepas was known as father of music of Rabaul and played all band instruments (steel guitar, ukelele, keyboards, drums but was a lead guitarist. He have been a member of various bands namely Tremors, Devil Strangers, Molaches Revival, Apple Sun, Beachcombers, Rasterman Vibrations and guest guitarists with other Rabaul bands in Pila Zack Mates, Outcast band, Unbelievers. Besides the various studio recordings with bands, he had his own album in 1983 with his own style of tropical islands sounds. Ben also worked with studios with Kuanua, Pacific Gold, Chin H Meen where he played the various instruments for bands recording their albums and worked as sound engineer with studio multi-tracking recording equipment. Ben was also involved with visiting musicians from Solomon Islands, Fiji and other parts of PNG. His music is mostly rock and roll, blues and reggae styles for covers and local Kuanua, Buka and Tok Pisin songs amongst others. At the time of the interview, he had decided to move on from performances and studio recording work have a break from the music scene and also a way to give other musicians an opportunity to pursue their own journey. He still prides himself as "papa blong musik"in Rabaul with his popularity as a PNG musician. (Steven Gagau, February 2020)

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