The greatest house painter among artists in Brisbane, Australia

This Sunday we had a show in Cuba, the same club here in Pitesti where we used to play a couple of months(?) ago. We really enjoyed the show, since it was our night, nobody else played, we had the liberty to play whatever we wanted, electric, drums and everything and I could say we really rocked the night. Ok, I am free to say it, argue with me on that!

So, this post is not about that night, but about a discussion that started during that night about a famous band in Romania, named Cargo, a band that we (almost) all love and appreciate. That band is one of those bands that started like 20 years ago, built a fan base thanks to a great vocal and great songs, a band that actually made a mark on my own path.

In 2003, a rumor started to spread, that the lead singer of Cargo is going to leave the band and…emigrate to Australia to work there.

Stop! WTF?!!

I remember I was really pissed off at that time and I could not understand what could possibly be the reason that could drive a great artist, well known in his country, to leave showbiz for another country where he could only work for a living…

And so he left, the band promoted the second guitar player and backup singer as the lead singer and actually he did a far better job than expected, being able to fill in for a great voice and sing the same songs, in his own way (kind of) and release new songs breaking new grounds.

So 2 days ago we were wondering what happened to Kempes (the lead singer that left for Australia). Mihai, my band mate sent us a link this morning that kind of explained what happened in the last 7 years with Kempes in Australia.

Seems that the money he made from music were not even close to enough to make a living here, he was waiting for a child to be born so he took the decision to leave Romania for Australia where he took a job as a house painter, job that he did for the last 7 years.

I could not miss the fact that he lives in Brisbane, owns 2 houses now there, 3 cars and one Harley that he has no time to ride. He stopped singing, except while driving. He provides whatever needed for his family and 2 (now) children…

He came back to Romania once, he was at a show of his old band but was not part of it.

I can’t tell you what a bitter taste I have in my mouth now while writing this. I am in my office  next to our rehearsal room, listening Cargo…

This should have not happened this way, a great voice must be allowed to sing, an artist must be allowed to grow, not be forced to work for a living…

I added here a few songs, listen them. They are in Romanian. You should do it, beyond the language barrier and appreciate a great hard and heavy voice.

End of story.

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