New look for Kings

The popular band ‘Kings’ will be in action at the Holiday Inn for the for the New Year's Eve Bash this year.

After a spell at the Blue Leopard and Harbour Room of Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo for two and a half years, Kings can now be seen and heard at the 'Heist Bar' at the Ceylon Continental Hotel on Fridays.

Formed in 1983 by versatile musician Chandral Fonseka as Champaign and changed the name to 'Kings' when they had to tour Europe as there was an international band by the name of Champaign.

The present line up of the band comprises Chandral Fonseka (bass and vocals), Hasitha Samarakoon (drums and vocals), Shakila Ganegama (keyboards and vocals), Manoj Fernando (guitars and vocals) and Mariazelle Goonetilleke (vocals).

‘We play lots of dances and other corporate functions and we will not going abroad for long term contracts. We want to play in Sri Lanka’ leader Chandral said.

Chandral feels confident that with the present line up Kinks can really go places.

Founder Members of the band in 1983 were Chandral Fonseka Leader/bassist/vocals,Ranil Vas guitar/keyboards/vocals, Shiran Munasinghe drums/vocals and Melantha Perera keyboards/vocals

Back in Sri Lanka, they continued to function as Kings and played at the 'Little Hut for seven years continuously. In 1989 with Sonali Sooriyagoda as the female vocalist, Ranil Vas and Melantha Perera were replaced by Aruna Liyanage (Jaya-Sri) in 1989 and Geeth Mihiripenna in 1987.

Geeth Mihiripenna was replaced by Arith Ratnawibhushana in 1990. Only three changes took place in ten years.

In 1993 they disbanded due to the future plans of the members. Shiran Munasinghe today plays in Dubai with Aquarius.

Geeth Mihiripenna joined nprivate sector and today he is attached to Mass Holdings.

Arith Ratnawibhushana lives in Perth, Australia and today holds a master's degree in marketing. Melantha Perera plays with Mirage.

Aruna Liyanage is now back in Sri Lanka and he has his own recording company name Alien Works. Sonali resides in Melbourne, Australia.

After the disbanding of KINGS, Chandral had his own recording studio called NAC Recording Studio together with Nihar Hameed of Friends and Arith Ratnawibhushana. Chandral of SUPER GOLDEN CHIMES fame is a well known lyricist, music director, Recording and sound engineer, a melody maker and a musician.

Kings re-grouped in July 2002 and had their re-launching concert at the Empire Room of Mount Lavinia Hotel with a number of top musicians in attendance.

Then the line up reads - Chandral Fonseka - leader/bassist/vocals, Ranil Vas - guitar/keyboards/vocals, Rafi Burksh - keyboards/vocals, Ajantha Dodampegama - drums/vocals and Sherry on female singer.

The band has been seen at the Holiday Inn Hotel ushering in the New Year, and also the Colombo Plaza (Cinnamon Grand) 2004 New Year's Eve dance.