Welcome to
MY BIO
Colombo 1974 - Age 20
Sydney 1998
My name is Johann Amit and I live in Sydney Australia. I am a musician, songwriter, composer and recording artist.
I was born in Colombo Sri-Lanka in 1954.
I Studied at Royal College Colombo and in 1972 I worked in my father's shop repairing radio and hi-fi sound systems. We also built PA systems for bands. At night I played in my father's band performing at the Blue Leopard night club and the Harbour Room restaurant at the Hotel Taprobane Colombo.
I Left Sri-Lanka in 1974 to join the Colombo Gems band in Switzerland. It was my first trip overseas and it was very exciting and challenging.
I toured with the band for 4 years performing in Switzerland, West Germany, West Berlin, Norway and Denmark. We played many genre's of music from the 1950's to the latest pop songs. We also played for cabaret artists at some of the most prestigious clubs in Switzerland. A great experience and wonderful memories.
I Migrated to Australia in 1978 and formed my own band 'THE AMIT'S' with my two brother's and two sister's. We performed regularly for 24 years at different venues in Sydney.
The band broke up for good in 2002 as it was physically demanding. I gave up music for 18 years, did not sing or play an instrument during this period. I worked in medical electronics for 16 years and 24 years in the IT industry.
I got married in 1998 to Sybil, a wonderful lady from Colorado USA.
There was one more goal I had to accomplish and that was to write and record my own music. In February 2020 I started writing, composing and recording my own music. I set up my own mini studio at home and have been recording my original material, covers and also turning poems into songs for John F Connor an established poet in the UK. I use Band-In-A-Box to make my own backing tracks and do all the vocals in my recordings.
In May 2022 I retired at the age of 68.
As a retiree I now have more time to write, sing and record songs. I also play the electric and acoustic guitars. I don't perform live anymore and have no desire to do so. I will continue song writing, composing and recording music as long as my health permits.
Music is therapeutic. Creating music keeps the brain active and healthy.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. Take care and God bless.
Sydney 2023 - Aged 69 and retired
Toured Europe and Scandinavia with the Colombo Gems from 1974 to 1978
COLOMBO GEMS 1974
TOP Left > right
Tony Ferdinandus: GUITAR, Trombone and Vocals.
Johann Amit: BASS GUITAR, Lead & Rhythm guitar, Flute and Vocals.
Adrian Ferdinands: (Band leader)KEYBOARDS, Drums, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Congas and Vocals.
BOTTOM Left > right
Moreno Corea: Tenor, Alto, Soprano saxophones and Clarinet.
Heather Crake: LEAD VOCALS, Keyboards and percussion.
Brian Croner: DRUMS, Bass guitar, Rhythm guitar, Trumpet and Vocals.
Warren Crake: DRUMS and Trumpet. Replaced Brian Croner in 1976.
Brian Croner was replaced by Warren Crake(Top right)
Recording Studio Geneve Switzerland 1976
Zurich Switzerland
Moreno Corea Johann Amit Heather Crake Adrian Ferdinands Warren Crake Tony Ferdinandus
My first Fender bass guitar and amp
Zurich Switzerland (1974)
Adrian and I drove both vans from country to country every month.
Manager Frankie Ferrer(Middle)
Frankie was an international Juggler
'CLARA' one of the clubs we performed at in Basel Switzerland. We performed at venues in different cities/countries every month.
Backstage with vocalist Heather and the showgirls in Geneve Switzerland
Cabaret artist
Zurich 1974
Norway 1975
Started our Scandinavian tour in 1975
It was a wonderful four years in Europe and Scandinavia and a great experience. I will forever cherish the wonderful memories we had together.
Migrated to Australia in April 1978 to reunite with my parents and siblings in Sydney.
THE AMITS 1983
Johann Amit > Chris Amit > Michael Amit
Nihara Amit > Nazreen Amit
My parents Monica & Gazali Amit - 1991
Myself, Dad and brother Michael - 1978
Club dance in Sydney - 1990's
Michael
Nihara
Chris
Naz
Celebrity Barry Crocker at the Night of Stars - 1983
A charity function attended by Australian celebrities at the Wentworth Hotel Sydney. The 'AMITS' provided the music.
Nihara's husband Denis(Right) helped us setup the band equipment on stage at every gig.
Club dance in Sydney
Family photo
A brief moment with George Benson after his performance at the Sydney Hilton.
My first computer music set up in the 80's.
I designed and constructed many electronic projects for the band. One of them was an electronic drum kit with five pads that was interfaced to a Roland sound module. Above is a micro controller switch box I made for my guitar and guitar Synthesizer
The circuit I designed and constructed for the micro controller switch box. I found it in my shed and it still works after 21 years.
Sydney 1997
In Craig Colorado - 1998
Married Sybil in May 1998
Visited GRACELANDS in 1998
The home of Elvis Presley
LEO our beautiful Shih Tszu 2002 - 2016
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb with my work colleagues - 1999
Brother Chris Amit(Drums)
Brother Michael Amit(Bass) Nephew Cezhan Amit(Guitar) Dad Gazali Amit(Guitar) Johann Amit(Guitar)
The 'AMITS' band broke up in 2002. I quit the music scene, didn't play an instrument or sing for 18 years. Listened to talk back radio only while driving and was over-committed to my day time job.
There was one more goal to achieve in my musical journey and that was to be a songwriter and record my own music. It started February 2020 and will continue while I am physically an mentally able to do so. I have composed and recorded 32 songs in two years.
2020
2020
My home recording setup in 2022
Spending my retirement doing more song writing, singing and recording.
Please click on the HOME button below to access my music.