Antony Isaacs, pioneer of western rock in Kochi, is no more
His playlist included classics like ‘End of the Line’ and ‘Blowin in the Wind’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Start Me Up’ and ‘Paint It Black’ by the Rolling Stones and even more complex tracks from legends like the Grateful Dead and Jethro Tull.
His playlist included classics like ‘End of the Line’ and ‘Blowin in the Wind’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Start Me Up’ and ‘Paint It Black’ by the Rolling Stones and even more complex tracks from legends like the Grateful Dead and Jethro Tull.
His playlist included classics like ‘End of the Line’ and ‘Blowin in the Wind’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Start Me Up’ and ‘Paint It Black’ by the Rolling Stones and even more complex tracks from legends like the Grateful Dead and Jethro Tull.
Kochi: Back in the early 1970s, Willingdon Island came alive with rock music from the Casino Hotel, led by a young voice that pulsed with the raw energy of its time. His playlist included classics like ‘End of the Line’ and ‘Blowin in the Wind’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Start Me Up’ and ‘Paint It Black’ by the Rolling Stones and even more complex tracks from legends like the Grateful Dead and Jethro Tull. That voice belonged to Antony Isaacs, the man who ignited a passion for Western rock among the youth of Kochi. On Sunday, that voice fell silent forever.
Antony was born into the lap of music. The son of renowned violinist Jo Isaacs and singer Emilda, he grew up in a family where music was woven into daily life. Jo Isaac, an expert in Christian devotional music, guided seven of his ten children into the world of music. While his elder brothers Emil and Eugene mastered the guitar and Rex shone on the violin, Antony found his spark as both a guitarist and a singer. From his teenage years, he was captivated by Western rock, a passion that shaped his life.
13 AD, a prominent rock band of the era, played a pivotal role in energising Kochi’s youth with the spirit of rock. Eloy, one of the Isaac brothers and a founding member of 13 AD, recalls how the legendary Elite Aces, led by Antony and his elder brothers, became the inspiration for the band’s formation.
“They travelled all across the country with Elite Aces. They had a huge fan base and everyone knew Antony. Our band was still in its early stages then. After shows, some people would come up to us and say, ‘Your performance was good, but not as good as Antony’s,’” Eloy remembers. At times, Antony himself performed with 13 AD.
It was his association with singer Usha Uthup that widened horizons for Elite Aces, taking their music beyond state borders and onto national stages. Even after returning home after a long time, Antony continued performing with several bands, before eventually turning back to his roots in Christian devotional music, the place where his musical journey had begun. In his final years, after being diagnosed with cancer, Antony sought solace in prayer and spent his last days at the Muringoor Divine Centre.