The sudden demise of Laishram Sando, one of the pioneers in the rock music culture in Manipur, has shocked many music enthusiasts in the state.
The youngest son of renowned Manipuri folk singer, Laisram Birendrakumar, Sando breathed his last at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI) in Imphal on Monday late evening.
Sando was a founding member of the pioneer rock band ‘Runaway Tracks’, which set the trail for many other acts to follow. Later, he went on to form the band ‘Phoenix’ with Nutan on the bass.
Sando is particularly noted for his soulful vocals and lyrics delivery, and he was also instrumental in writing the cult classic ‘Woman’ with the band which Lien Gangte popularised in an improvised version of the song with the band now spelled as Phynyx when it got featured in RSJ's Great Indian Rock compilation.
One can only rue the fact that for music lovers in the 90s when Phoenix was at the heights of their popularity, Sando was already in semi retirement though he thrilled his fans with guest appearances in selected shows.
