‘That's my decision and not theirs’!- Noel Ranasinghe

‘Despite nearly 45 years of my 'La-Ceylonians, which has experienced bitter setbacks, criticism, you name it - the trend continues, with still many wooing me, in a subtle manner to disband the group, and go, ‘Solo’ if at all, I am to find work in a scene dominated and of satanic forces’ said Noel Brian Ranasinghe of 'La-Ceylonians fame.

Noel writes to TV Times explaining his idea to go solo and this is an extract from his own letter.

‘Many hate to see me performing with my own group, doing it my way still holding on to the unplugged style.

My performances on stage has been destroyed due to an unbalanced sound given to us -with mikes not functioning - thus, decades of sheer hard work are all killed by such performances - many of which are used for V.C.D.-D.V.D. and exported to many countries around the world. This is derogatory and defaming - but then who cares???

I need not be told to disabled - I will decide what I must do, co's I love my music - doing it in my own style. I have cultivated courage - the will to carry on - I have sacrificed much to help and save many. I am not to blame just because others make (Solo) single representations of their groups - it’s no point selling the name of a group just to please anyone, they tried it on me, and failed.

If my fans, music lovers, TV, Radio and the Media request me to go 'Solo' then I would give it serious thought because, it was they who have encouraged and kept me going for so long.

I am prepared to meet anyone in my own grounds, singing and playing guitar, banjo mandarin, harmonica - unplugged, without the help of any power - be it mains, or battery - yes, I challenge anyone who thinks fit enough to compete with me. Today, most musicians are slaves to the machines and keyboards, the latter tailor made to duplicate for a full orchestra - its good, so long as the power is on - switch it off, and its ground zero!

Like my good old pal Des Kelly says - ‘If one wants to hit the top spots - all one has to do is paint one's face to look like a demon, stick his tongue out, like a lizard thirsty for water - produce unmusical sounds, stupid lyrics, and bask the hell out of their guitars - then, one can come - on top as a superstar’.

When will we ever learn, it’s good, that no one has tried to sue the manufacturers of fabricated keyboards - drum machines - and sundry, which makes up the dust bin of music.

It’s time - musicians decide whether to be real, do it the real live way, or, be the slaves of machines. I love my music, and will always strive hard to keep it up - until I am carried away in a box.
- Noel Brian Ranasinghe