All roads will lead to the Renaissance Theatre – Kew High School in Melbourne
on Sunday the 26 June at 5.p.m., where a very large crowd of music lovers will be treated for a ‘Tribute to Clarence’ by Daya Silva and his band ‘Clan’.
Clarence Wijewardene is a legend in Sri Lanka, who had made such a large contribution to listeners in Sri Lanka, Melbourne and the world at large. Daya Silva, yet another Sri Lankan musician and vocalist, who was in the music business for the past 40 years,. It was in 1999 that MC for the V.I.P. star studded Dinner Dance at the Hilton hotel Brookline, Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A. when on stage was the Guest Vocalists and Keyboard player for the function return of the QE2 and Daya was featured with the resident band ‘Four Guys in Tuxes’. His song ‘Sweeter than Springtime’ captured the hearts of over 300 Guests at the function and was a tremendous success with standing ovations and his CD was just so popular where all were sold out in a matter of minutes.
Daya started his musical career in the late 60’s and formed his first Band ‘Tharanga’ in 1968 in Sri Lanka and formed his second Band ‘Dinkum Lankans’ in 1980 in Melbourne, and all his vocals were ever green songs of Clarence Wijewardene and it was in1989 excepting Daya’s invitation Clarence performed to a crowd of 850 fans at Springvale Town Hall accompanied by ‘Dinkum Lankans’.
The Late Mr. Clarence Wijewardene pioneered the use of the electric guitar for Sinhala Music, and was often named and respected as pioneer of Sinhala pop music. His talents in music often characterised by simple melodies built around a melody that features the electric guitar.
His performances as a vocalist did revolutionize Sri Lankan music in the 1960’s and even influenced top performers ranging from W.D. Amaradeva, Premasiri Kemadasa etc. There is no doubt that all music lovers will not miss the opportunity to Listen to the favourite songs of the 60’s & 70’s.
Patrons will be pleased to
learn that Sheela Wijewardene, the wife of Late Clarence Wijewardene, daughter Amila Wijewardene and family member Siri Hettiarachchi expressed their appreciation to Daya for the performance of this musical tribute in Australia. ‘Daya and the Clan’ will be on stage to provide music for your listening pleasure with Guest artiste Ranil Mallawarachchi. The Band comprises of Daya on Vocals, Raj Dassanayake on Drums with 35 years of experience.
Raj was the leader of ‘The Pioneers’ and also with ‘Spring Time Clearwater, Gabo and the Breakaways and contributed his talents to several leading bands in Colombo. Ravi on Guitar, who played with Daya was subsequently performing at the hotel Oberoi in Kuwait. After few years he joined ‘Dinkum Lankans’ in Melbourne. He is also a backup singer for both Sinhala and English Songs.
Tilak Jinadasa plays rhythm guitar and joins in Vocals. He was with the band ‘The Pioneers” and the band ‘Talk of the Town’ and many other bands
in Colombo during 70’s and 80’s. Early in his career Clarence tried him out to sing
Sinhala songs, when he was looking for a vocalist for his band ‘Moonstones’.
Shayan Fernando who plays the bass, has over 20 years experience playing
with a South African band and few other musical bands in Melbourne.
Manoj Mendis plays Key Boards and has 18 years experience playing key Boards in so many different functions.
Shaman Fernando is an up and coming talented young member who plays the Congo Drum for the band.
This will be a very proud occasion for all Sri Lankans living in Australia and elsewhere where a musical tribute is paid in remembrance of Late Clarence Wijewardene, the Sri Lankan Pop Music legend, for his supreme contribution for the birth of Sinhala Pop Songs. |
E-mail
