“Machan I’ll be there” … were the warm words and brief response, always, from Darlen Perera, the 69-year-old veteran singer/guitarist who died on Tuesday night after a brief illness, whenever I asked him whether he could perform at our regular Country Roads charity concerts.
An affable, friendly and much loved personality in the Sri Lankan music scene, Darlen played for many bands including the Bohemians before branching out as a solo artiste in recent years. He was a regular on the hotel circuit and locations like the Capri Club and Colombo Swimming Club.
Darlen played at the Country Roads charity concert for many years as a member of one of the bands and then as a solo artiste often providing the audience a range of old country favourites. That was his forte – the good old country songs, evergreens and songs of a bygone era that are still popular. He got crowds rocking and rolling wherever he played.
The Beatles was one of his favourite bands, judging from a number of Beatles’ favourites that he sang. He attended the Beatles’ tribute band concert last week and fell ill thereafter, never to recover again.
Musicians like Darlen are among a breed that’s hardly recognised – men and women who sweat their way in the music scene to keep the home fires burning, raise a family and provide a decent education for their children. They never ask for much: don’t receive any accolades or awards like some musicians; are satisfied with the bare necessities of life and are extremely humble.
Darlen is the third musician to pass away from dozens of musicians who have given their heart and soul at the Country Roads concerts which has raised millions of rupees for needy children in Sri Lanka, working through organisations like UNICEF and Save the Children, UK. Earlier Cosmic Rays drummer Asoka Ratnapala passed away just before the 1999 concert followed by folk singer Thisula Abeysekera in 2006. They were also two musicians who volunteered their services for these concerts, a rarity these days in a world governed by material values.
Darlen, you will be sorely missed by all your friends and us at the Country Music Foundation.
Feizal Samath,
President/CMF |
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