For the love of SIMON & GARFUNKEL

Twenty-two years ago, two guys began an impromptu Simon & Garfunkel session. Roshan Premasinghe and Naushad Rassool were rehearsing together with the Merry Ann Singers for an upcoming concert. During a break from singing, Naushad was drawn to a corner of the rehearsal room, towards a favourite tune by Simon and Garfunkel. Strumming the immortal music was the Mary Ann Singer's backup guitarist, Rienzi Pereira.

The story of Flame starts with Roshan, Naushad and Rienzi's small, impromptu collaboration, and their mutual love of 70s and 80s music. While singing with the Merry Ann Singers, Naushad and Roshan were practicing American Tune by Simon and Garfunkel, to perform it at a folk and country music concert named Country Roads. Naushad's chance eavesdropping of Rienzi's playing, gave himself and Roshan their back-up guitarist.

The trio was a hit at the Country Roads concert. In 1989, Naushad, Roshan and Rienzi christened themselves as Flame and they began playing a regular gig at the Mount Royal Beach Hotel. They also auditioned and won a Wednesday night spot at the Taj Hotel lobby bar; a gig that is still reminisced by Flame's huge fan club. Today you have to secure seats early to catch Flame at its current, weekly gig at the UBG (Jaic Hilton) on Fridays.

The trio, since 1989 has multiplied in the number of varied musical talents and vocalists that have changed Flame's membership from a quartet to an octet, depending on their line-up for a show. Additions and popular members of the band over the years include - Ikram Miskin, Siraj Saboor, Suranga Fonseka, Primal Liyanage, Joe Lappen, Chamath Ariyadasa, Rafi Buksh, Lal De Silva, Lenny Vittachchi, Shane De Silva, Allan Outschoorn, Ranjan Josiah, Kamal Perera, Chris De Alwis, Nishantha de Abrew, and Niroshan de Silva. Flame's first female member, and the latest singer to collaborate with the band, is Anne Jayamanne. She will add pop and jazz to Flame's repertoire.

Flame loves the 60s, 70s and 80s. These three eras are featured heavily in their repertoire. When the band starts to play the first notes of their most popular covers by the Eagles, the Bee Gees, the Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel or James Taylor ... the crowd goes wild.

The Journey will be Flame's first concert, to be held on November 11 at 7pm at the Bishop's College Auditorium. The decision to stage an exclusive concert came two years ago when the band celebrated its 20th anniversary. Flame considers the 70s and 80s to be music's golden ages. They are also the two eras that best describes the band's formation and popularity. The Journey promises to give the audiences a one-of-a-kind concert, rocking with talent and packed with hits such as Sound of Silence, Tequila Sunrise, Africa, Nights on Broadway, Layla, as well as material that Flame is re-working especially for the Concert. Former band members are also set to take the stage with their old crew to treat Flame's most dedicated fans. The Journey will be compered by Viran Corea.