Remo cancels London concert after serious head injury

A rare photo of a young Remo Fernandes in the 1970s.

Photo Credits: Lui Godinho

LONDON

Goan pop icon Remo Fernandes has cancelled his show at the ‘UK Goan Festival’ organised by the Goan Association UK (GOA UK) in London on August 3, after being advised surgery for an injury to his head following a fall in Spain last month. The ‘UK Goan Festival’ will, however, be staged in his absence.

In a post on Facebook late Thursday evening, Remo provided details of his fall, injury, medical consultations and his sincere regret over the cancellation of his show organised by the GOA UK in London. 

INJURY AND SYMPTOMS

“About a month ago I had a nasty fall in my hotel room in Spain while there at the Vallodolid Literary Festival regarding my book. I banged my head on the floor really hard, like I'd never ever banged it before,” said Remo. 

“And everything seemed fine indeed during the next one month; well, almost everything. I found my equilibrium getting sightly and gradually worse, but I attributed it to age — I am, after all, 72, even if I mostly think I'm 27. And then the headaches slowly started about 10 days ago. And gradually increased.”

MEDICAL CHECKS, CONSULTATIONS

Remo said his neighbour took him to Lusfadas, a top private hospital in Porto, for scans and also consulted with the reputed neurosurgeon, Dr Oscar Alvas, who had been monitoring and prescribing the scans. 

Dr Alvas told Remo that he had a serious bleeding in his cranium, which was increasing alarmingly and pushing his brain against the skull bone, causing disequilibrium and headaches. He recommended an urgent surgery.

"My first thought jumped to the upcoming concert in London. I've done 4 or 5 concerts in the UK, but this was the very first one where I would be performing almost exclusively for the UK Goans, and my band and I had been excitedly looking forward to it," stated Remo in his post.

Remo then asked the neurosurgeon if he could undergo the operation immediately, and then travel to London for the concert on August 3, or else, if he could postpone the operation after the concert. 

The neurosurgeon ruled out shows and music for a while, cautioning Remo that if he didn't operate as soon as possible, he could run a great risk of turning into a vegetable; or, at worst, that he could die.

CANCELLING LONDON SHOW

Remo admitted that this was the most shocking news about his health he'd ever had. 

“Put me in a state of daze, as one can well imagine. When I got back home that night I searched for information about the operation itself, and it's post-surgery recovery. Rest, and more rest required. No strenuous activity at all. And, one of the main requirements? No flights for at least one month or six weeks, because the changes in cabin pressure can be fatal in this condition."

"And so this is the second, or at the most, the third show which, in my 40+ years as a professional musician, I've been forced to cancel for reasons totally beyond my or anyone's control."

Remo and his band Microwave Papadums were to perform at the ‘UK Goan Festival’ organised by the Goan Association UK at the Cranford Community College, Hounslow, in London on August 3. The ‘UK Goan Festival’ will, however, be staged in his absence.

Remo then got in touch with GOA UK President Ravi Vaz, to convey news about the cancellation of his show at the ‘UK Goan Festival’.

"To my great relief, he was extremely understanding, kind and caring when I informed him about it the next morning; in fact he was supportive, offering any help I might require in Porto," said Remo.

"My apologies to the great UK Goan population for whom I was looking forward to perform for the first time. Like I told Ravi, I shall try and make up for this show the best way I can, as soon as I am pronounced fit to fly and perform again."

PRAISE FOR GOA UK

Remo thanked Ravi and the GOA UK committee for the way in which they were going about organising his concert.

"He (Ravi) had invited and scheduled for a delegation of the Portuguese Embassy in Lisbon to attend, and procedure was underway to invite the present President of Portugal. 

A rare photo of a young Remo Fernandes
in the 1970s. Photo: Lui Godinho

In an earnest appeal to the Goans in UK, Remo added: "The GOA UK genuinely works for the Goan community in general, helping less fortunate Goans specially. So if your first thoughts go towards cancelling your tickets and asking for a refund, please do reconsider; do go for the show anyway. I'm sure Ravi and GOA UK will have a wonderful replacement for me."

"So do attend it — it is for the greater good of the Goan Community in London; this is the original and genuine GOA UK and it's not a commercial profit-driven organisation like some new associations which have sprung up in the UK and Canada which try to sabotage the original GOA Festival by organising a 'rival' show just one or two weeks prior. They tried to rope me in as well, offering higher sums of money, saying I could perform at both, but I declined; I had heard wonderful things about Ravi and the GOA UK."

Remo assured that he and his band would try to make up for this show to the best of their capabilities as soon as he is declared totally fit to fly and perform again.

MESSAGE TO FANS

Remo requested his countless fans to "send up a little positive thought or prayer" for his operation which has been scheduled for July 16. 

"The good wishes which have started pouring in are actually bringing tears of gratitude and love to my eyes... I'm sorry I can't even put a Heart on each one of them..But each is very warmly thanked for and gratefully appreciated."

FESTIVAL TO GO ON

When contacted, GOA UK President Ravi Vaz confirmed about the cancellation of Remo’s show at the ‘UK Goan Festival’ in London on August 3, on account of his ill-health.

“We are in the process of engaging a replacement band for the show. We will miss Remo and his band as he was the star attraction at the ‘UK Goan Festival’. We wish him a successful surgery, and a full and speedy recovery,” said Ravi.

“While this unexpected news may come as a disappointment, we want to assure you that the spirit, energy, and magic of the UK Goan Festival remains stronger than ever. The show goes on — brighter, bolder, and just as vibrant as always,” he added.