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| Wednesday, 17 March 2004 |
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Stars of Seventies back on stage by Prasad Gunewardene After an interval of two years, melodies and memories of the Sinhala music scene of the 1960s and '70s will be revived on March 21 at 6.30 pm at the BMICH. This time these nostalgic memories will be presented with an added flavour of the late 1950s with two popular artistes of that era being brought to sing those moving numbers.The show titled-"The Stars of the Seventies"-,the brainchild of the Prince of Sinhala Pop, Annesley Malawana comes to Colombo after two years as Annesley did not want to make it stale by just moving it at one city all the time. The presentation of this show has been to help many a school in several projects.This time it is Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda which is keen to collect funds to construct a swimming pool, an auditorium and expand indoor sports facilities. The Colombo Branch of the school has taken the lead to make the event a success. The "Daily News,"Observer and "Sarasaviya"" of the Lake House group are the proud print media sponsors for this event. "The Stars of the Seventies" is a musical presentation of the variety Sinhala music groups that existed in the 1960s and '70s. Moving Sinhala music began from the late 1950s with the baila maestro Wally Bastian mixing up the western style. Then came the Paraguan followed by Calypso.
The pioneers of that style were the late Neville Fernando of the "Los Cabelleros", Joe B. Perera of the "Meemasso" and Noel Ranasinghe of "La Ceylonians". Noel pioneered the calypso very much to be known as the father of calypso Sinhala music. In the mid 1960s, this style took a sudden change with a dynamic young man emerging from the Ratnapura city leading a group called "Moonstones". He was none other than the late Clarence Wijewardene who introduced the electric guitar to Sinhala music in a revolutionary manner with a top lead singer called Annesley Malawana. Sinhala pop music Clarence's entry into the music scene created the era of Sinhala Pop Music. This was the beginning of the growth of Sinhala pop bands.There was a man who lent a helping hand to them at the then Radio Ceylon.If not for him these young musicians would never have been heard as there was much criticism and disgust thrown by the oriental type of musicians of that time.This man, Vijaya Corea led a single handed battle to bring them to fame through the English beam programmes like the "Saturday Stars" and the popular "Sooriya Show".
Annesley Malawana innovative at all times in presenting this show has decided to bring two famed men of the late 1950s. They are Vincent De Paul Peiris of the "Siripade Samanala Kanda Pene" and "Bicycale-Bicycale" fame and the man who never looks aged,Christopher Paul who moved many an audience with his popular "Hai Mal Pipenne" and "Ela Dola Ganga". These two men will fill the Guest Spot. It will be a memorable evening to the audience to witness popular hits of yester-year. Annesley will bring back those beautiful compositions of Clarence from the "Moonstones" to the "Super Golden Chimes".The "Kalu Kelle" of the "Moonstones" Indrani Perera will ask you to name from "Moonstones" days to her "Three Sisters" band and she will deliver. Lanky Anil Bharathi will revive the popular hits composed for him by Clarence during his days with Clarence in the "Golden Chimes" and thereafter. Calypso Noel Ranasinghe who pioneered calypso will come on stage with his original members dressed to that style to entertain fans of calypso. How can a show of this nature go on stage without that popular band of the 1960s that had four brothers? They are the "Dharmaratne Brothers" now three in number as Ronald died in a road accident some years ago. Maxwell, Melroy and Christy will feature with hits like "Varsity Kollo" and "Raaja Kumari". The cast includes the bachelor boy from Moratuwa who pioneered the "La Bambas" with hits like "Nuwara Menikela" and "Cock-a-doodle doo". He is Priya Peiris.
There was another man from Negombo who stunned the Sinhala pop scene at that time with a hit called "Yakada Thalanna". This man was Joe B. Perera of "Meemasso" group known in the scene as the only "Bee" from Negombo. Immediately after the interval break on that evening, the audience will be taken to the days of the popular film "Kalu Diya Dahara" that gave the record breaking hit for the late Neville Fernando of the "Los Cabelleros". Neville's brother Errol will come on stage to deliver "Master, Sir", "Malbara Himidiriye", "Gayana Geyum" and some other hits. The added tempo will be provided on that evening by A. E. Manoharan, Rajiv Sebastian and Dalreen Suby. All of them will be backed with music by the ever popular band-"Simple " with Mahes Silva, the regular band for the "Stars of Seventies". Then who will give the dances? yes... the beautiful lasses of Channa Wijewardene will move you to glory to the fascinating melodies.
Vijaya Corea, the "God Father" of all these musicians known as the ace compere will lead the show till the curtain falls after a grand medley at the end. Annesley's effort in the creation of this show also pays a tribute to his legend Clarence Wijewardene who gave a boom to Sinhala Pop style. The old boys, students and well wishers of Dharmasoka College will certainly take fond memories of that glamorous evening to Ambalangoda as the "Stars of Seventies" is a star spangled event that moves your feet from start to the finish." **** Back **** |
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