The Gypsies: Back on the road again
Piyal Perera
‘The Gypsies’, one of the popular and most successful musical outfits in the Sri Lankan music history, will hit the road again with their brand new Sinhala song ‘Gaalu Paara’, sung by late Sunil Perera.
‘Gaalu Paara’, the last song voiced
by Sunil in 2021, will hit the Lankan music arena in April, 2022 during the Avurudu season.
‘This is the last song sung by Sunil Aiya and he was keen to release this song during the December Festive season, but unfortunately it didn’t materialise. ‘Gaalu Paara’ is only an audio track and the visual part was not completed due to his demise in September last year. But the new video will feature all animated characters of the members of the Gypsies including Sunil Aiya’ Piyal explained their new venture.
This song is in the line with his usually catchy baila beat and it will be the very first animated song created by Gypsies, probably the first locally produced animated song in Sri Lanka.
The band was planning to host a mega concert in 2021 to celebrate their fiftieth year in the music scene. Due to pandemic situation it was postponed.
Gypsies led by veteran singer/ musician Sunil Perera, launched their experimental outfit in 1970 under the guidance of his father Anton Perera. Sunil, Nihal, Nimal, Lal, Kanthi and Noel were the very first line-up for the band and subsequently changed it to ‘five brothers’ boy band’ in 1971.
Sunil, Nihal, Nimal, Lal and Piyal came under popular Gypsies tagline in 71 and since then it was a nun stop march for them with hits after a hit for the next fifty years.
‘Gypsies’ is the only band in Sri Lanka to continue nonstop music with major chart toppers for fifty years. Perhaps they may be the only band in the world to enjoy that privilege with huge following of a fan base.
‘Gypsies’ now led by brother Piyal and is back in the saddle again with many dances, weddings, gigs and other events.
‘It is really good to see the music industry is getting back to its usual rhythm. The band is now on the move with many new ventures. There are few overseas concerts too on our way but was on hold due to Covid situation in Canada, USA and Australia. Hope everything will settle by the end of this year’ added Piyal.
The present line-up comprises Piyal Perera (leader/vocals), Kamal Perera (guitar), Lal Witiwala (drums), Dushan Jayathileke (keyboards/ vocals), Ranga Perera (bass) and Monique Pallagama on vocals.
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