The ageless LEGACY OF Nagaland’s “SQUADRON” band LIVES ON.
By Gabriel G. Momin
FEATURE | JULY 12, 2020:
Nagaland's oldest surviving Rock band "Squadron" guitarist O.Temsu Imsong breathed his last on 17 June. The news of the sudden demise of O.Temsu Imsong came as a shock to the music fraternity. The news was devastating.
Many artists, friends, and fans poured out their grieving messages on the demise of the veteran musician. His rich legacy will undoubtedly be of great importance for aspiring musicians.
About O. Temsu Imsong.
O.Temsu Imsong, 53, was battling cancer and was undergoing treatment at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, CIHSR Dimapur. It was in 2009 he was first diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)-Bladder cancer. Imsong was scheduled for radiotherapy from 2:30 pm however, his condition worsen and was declared dead at 6:50 pm.
His mortal remains were brought back to his hometown Mokokchung district and the funeral service was held at his private residence in the afternoon were his band members also said their final goodbye. He is survived by his wife and three children.
His band members also shared a message saying, "Late O. Temsu Imsong was an integral part of our band and though he left us we as "SQUADRON" will continue his legacy, and the music we played together will always have an impact on us.
He will be deeply missed".
About the band.
Squadron band is one of the first Rock band in the State of Nagaland and had bought many laurels to the state.
The band was formed in the year 1990 by bassist K.Lanu Aier, John Walling on vocal, Imtimar Tzudir on drums, and O.Temsu and Bendang Jamir on guitars. After two years John Walling found his calling and left the band to pursue his studies and was replaced by Wati Imchen.
Fueled by the early success, the band spends the late 90's touring the country extensively and building a fan following across the nation, some of who still lingers on to this day. However, after a brief lapse, the band came back with an All Nagaland mega tour in the year 2008 and 2009 under the theme "Save a Life".
Performance
The band had performed an astounding 386 concerts all over the country including Goa, Chennai, Pondicherry, Guwahati, Bhopal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
The band has also emerged as one of the most influential bands in India's Rock Talent Bowl-The Northeast.
Achievements
In the summer of 1993 Squadron became the only band from Nagaland to ever win a nationwide open beat contest, the Annual Rock Beat Contest organized by the Informative Technology College IIT, Chennai. In 1994 the band also won the All Nagaland Beat Contest and in 1996 the band came out as the 2nd Runners up in the Northeast Beat Contest held at Aizawl.
Their Songs
The band has worked on some songs such as Fly by night, Victim of death, Cry citizens cry, My girl, and many more. However, it is said that the band has no official releases.
Future plans?
The sudden loss of O Temsu has indeed left a void in the band's journey, nevertheless, the band is likey to work on an old number called "Victim of death". The band will re-produce the song using the guitar parts that were originally played by their late guitarist.
Word of appreciation from the band
We would like to thank all our fans, musicians, the media, and well-wishers for your continuous love and support.
Late O. Temsu Imsong was an integral part of our band and though he left us we as "SQUADRON" will continue his legacy, and the music we played together will always have an impact on us.
