BY: PENI KOMAISAVAI
The passing of the late Daniel Rae Costello is a very sad day for Fiji’s Music Industry says Fiji Performance Rights Association Limited (FPRA) Director, Laisa Vulakoro.
“I am really saddened and heartbroken when I heard the news of his passing, such a great talent, it was a privilege to have known him, this is indeed not only a great loss for the Fiji music, but for the whole Pacific music industry,” Vulakoro said.
The Vude Queen and the late Costello kicked off their music careers when they competed in a national talent quest back in the 1970s. Costello won that competition.
“He was such an inspiration for the young artists and to all of us. He will be sorely missed by those of us who were fortunate enough and blessed to have known him,” Vulakoro says.
“His unique voice, unique style lifted the standard of music here in Fiji right up to the international Pacific and Global stage.”
“I wish to extend our well wishes and condolences to the Costello family in this time of grief.”
Costello passed away at the age of 58, after a long illness. He released songs like ‘Take me to the Island’, ‘Dark Moon’ and ‘Samba’, which are heard on radio stations, nightclubs and family parties all over the Pacific to this day.
He recorded his first solo-album called ‘Tropical Sunset’ back in 1979, but it was only the year after that he released his famous ‘Lania’ album, which became a huge hit in the region.
Two of his songs ‘Samba’ and ‘Take Me to the Island’, were inspired by his family’s move to Australia because of the 1987 coup.
He later returned to Fiji and recorded his first big hit album “Samba” in his own studio and production suite called “Tango Sound Productions”.
