Golden Chimes in concert

By Mahes Perera

Music is Lankika Perera's greatest asset. She's been in the industry since her teen days. There's so much that can be written about her and her band the Golden Chimes, both of whom have made an indelible mark in the music industry under the leadership of Clarence Wijewardene in 1970, when the Sinhala popular music in our industry was dominated by what was termed the 'calypso bands'.

The bands that enjoyed success at that time were Los Cabelleros, La Ceylonians, La Bambas and the Dharmaratne Brothers. Their sounds, influenced by the music of the Trio Los Paraguayos who at that time captured the top slot of every global chart, were an exciting inspiration to our musicians in Sri Lanka.

In this scenario came Clarence and the Golden Chimes who were successful in turning the spotlight on to them with their special brand of Sinhala popular music. Lankika Perera was their vocalist. Next month the Golden Chimes concert will be on the boards.

Question: You are proud of the fact that with this year you have been with the band Golden Chimes for the past 43 years, and not chosen to join another band or even disbanding Golden Chimes. How did your career as a singer begin especially since Clarence Wijewardene was a well recognised guitarist/composer in the industry?

Answer: I am really proud that I am 43 years in the music industry and with only the Golden Chimes, because considering the fact that I was chosen quite by chance by Clarence Wijewardena to join the band, when he heard me singing at home for my pleasure.

I remember that day when he came around to our home, heard me and invited me to join his band Golden Chimes as their female vocalist. I was so excited and happy.

Q: Clarence Wijewardena before the Golden Chimes era was fronting the band Moonstones which was also a popular one at that time. When did Clarence leave the band and move over to form the Golden Chimes?

A: Clarence moved out of the Moonstones in 1969. Annesley Malawana was a member of the group then. But Clarence together with Chanaka Perera - bassist, Wijith Peiris - drummer and Dixon Goonaratna - lead guitar formed the Golden Chimes in 1970 and I joined them in 1971, as their female vocalist. Clarence was quick to release an EP under the Sooriya label. The songs were, and you could call them 'standards' in Sinhala songs today.

They were Kimada Naave, Mage Pelpatha, Sihin Sinawai and Samanalayo. He was responsible for all the lyrics and the music arrangements.

Q: Clarence gained popularity fast for the songs he composed. What in your opinion was the attraction to all the songs he composed, it was something that was missing earlier in the music scene which Clarence was able to capture and express in song?

A: Clarence's songs were simple and beautiful with a message for all - young or old. He chose his themes from nature, his love songs are favourites even to this day. He wrote songs about places - such as Ratnapura, Moratuwa and even Kataragama, which endeared to the hearts of the music lovers. Golden Chimes under his leadership released many songs which included Muhudu Rella, Malai Welai, Sandal Tharu, Iru dina, Bethlehem pure, Sudu Menike and of course this special song he wrote "Mangalam" for our wedding - Chanaka's and mine which was sung at the church. He was considered the 'Father of Sinhala Pop' after he introduced the electric guitar sounds to his music.

Q: But unfortunately as it always happens some musicians look for new pastures and Clarence left the Golden Chimes in 1973, did you experience a void in the band which had to filled fast?

A: Yes we missed him. We continued to be friends and we always considered him as a family member. Clarence left the Golden Chimes and formed the Super Golden Chimes with Annesley Malawana. But we continued, the mantle of leadership fell on Chanaka and we released our songs such as Molaketi puthini, Hiru Ipadena vita, Dalada perahera, Guwan yanawa.

They became hits for us. We had Rukshan Perera and Priya de Silva who composed songs for us. After a period of time Priya left us to join the priesthood but he continued to write songs for us, songs with a religious fervour. In fact he will be singing with us at this concert 'Golden Stars with Golden Chimes' on September 6.

Q: The concert 'Golden Stars with Golden Chimes' the proceeds are for charity, who will be performing?

A: The proceeds from this concert will go towards the building fund of the Willorawatte Methodist Sunday School and will feature popular stars of the 70s. Indrani Perera, Anil Bhareti, Mariazelle Gunatilleke, Rukshan Perera, and an up and coming young star Sureni de Mel and Tennyson Cooray.

Q: You have long years of experience of the music industry behind you, you are still on the scene with the same group Golden Chimes with no breaks in your career, how do you assess the Sinhala pop music scene thus far?

A: With Golden Chimes we play Sinhala and English pop songs and today Sinhala pop songs are of a high standard. Yet, I don't know why some songs don't last the test of time. The compositions of songs by young musicians are emotional and pull at the heart strings and I hope, say 10 years from now, the songs will echo in the minds of music lovers.

Technology today is high and the young talented singers are lucky because today's generation are "new technology trained". Singers and musicians like us had to physically work hard to get to the position we are in today. The new talent are lucky, they have so many TV channels and radio frequencies to popularise themselves.

They move with the times, they are influenced by hip hop and rap which are reflected in their songs, they sing to pre-recorded tracks, and the pressure of having rehearsals with the band is less. Yes there are changes in the Sinhala pop music industry and I sincerely hope that in the years to come that the new talent of today will continue to hold the spotlight in the future.