Music does not lie, nor compromise

My 50 years journey

Today I complete 50 years in professional music.

I joined “PINK & PURPLE” led by veteran Mr. Lincoln De Silva on the 12^th day of June 1972. 

After two years this band faced a split and Mr. Lincoln De Silva named his band “SUPER PINK & PURPLE” while I continued with “PINK & PURPLE” led by Mr. Ivan De Silva who became the new band leader. 

In early 1974 I had to leave that band and my rhythm guitar playing ended with that and I started playing bass. I was given a part-time job with the band “PIONEERS” led by Raj Dassanayake. 

Then in 1975, I got the break to perform with “ANTOINETTE & THE GAYLORDS led by Antoinette De Alwis. My dream at that time was to play with the most popular “SUPER GOLDEN CHIMES” and I was offered to play with them by Mr. Nimal Perera who was the drummer of the band at that time. I joined “SUPER GOLDEN CHIMES” led by the Late great Clarence Wijewardane on the 2^nd day of March 1977 and would call the best days of my life. 

In 1980 June I left the shores of Sri Lanka to join “SERENDIB” led by Mr. Indra Raj in Switzerland. 

Came back to Sri Lanka in 1981 December to get married and formed my own band “SUPER” and went back to Europe in 1982. 

There I faced a dispute of trust and vacated the band, came back to Sri Lanka, and formed my second band “CHAMPAGNE” which finally became “KINGS” in 1983. 

Took “KINGS Band” to Europe once again in 1984. In 1992, we disbanded and opened up the “NAC” recording studio. During this time the studio recorded more than 5000 songs and most of the time I was a part of it. 

In 2002 again “KINGS” band was formed and up to this date, the band is functioning. During this time period of music, I got the chance of playing with the cream of musicians in Sri Lanka who were better players and musicians than me. 

I have worked with more than 40 musicians and 9 female singers in my time and I take pleasure in thanking all of them at this moment. I have written more than 200 songs and have played bass for more than 5000 songs. Directed music for more than 400 songs while recording more than 1000 songs. I have made money and provided my family with what I got but, I made more friends than money during this time. As I am completing 50 years in music today and as I know that there won’t be any fanfare for me, I just thought of saying to all of you, THANK YOU.

I take this opportunity to thank my present band members, Asanka Jayawardane, Vinuri Randhula Silva, Nethanga Fernando and Pandula Jayaweera. I am glad that they are here with me today and we are still contributing to the industry by being the resident band at The Hilton Colombo every Wednesday.

Music does not lie, nor compromise, it is a feeling rendered to an audience with love and respect.

Yours Truly,

Chandral Fonseka