 
Elegance in piano artistry
by Mahes Perera
Coming back to the land of your
roots is a happy experience that is unexplainable. Whether you are
coming back home after say thirty years or 10 years or maybe just two
years, as the plane flies over Sri Lanka and you get a good view of our
fascinating coastline and the lush fauna your heart bursts with joy.
That’s exactly what Helen and Ronnie Lucas experienced. Musicians of a
high calibre, the duo were home in 2005 and five years later they are
back with us to meet up with family and friends.
Pianist Helen Lucas was a much sought after musician and a popular
and famous band leader in the early years. Her dance band the Helen
Lucas Combo held the top spotlight in our music scene for many years
before she and Ronnie, her husband decided to emigrate to Australia. Sri
Lanka lost while Sydney gained an excellent pianist. Her artistry in
music has always been elegant and the sophistication in the expression
of the sound be it pop, blues, country, Latin or jazz is till today
unparalleled.
When you left us, your band The Helen Lucas Combo, was a kind of a
big band full sound one, who were your members?
 “Well there were my two brothers Miki and Tom Menezes. Both of them
were multi-instrumentalists so the band was at an advantage. Miki was a
saxophonist and pianist while Tom played trumpet doubled up on bass,
drums, piano, he was versatile. Then ofcourse there was Dallas Achilles
on trumpet, Milroy Passe de Silva - guitar, Errol Mulholland - bass,
Farook Miskin - drums. My vocalist was Ronnie my husband handled the
English vocals while Neville Gunawardena sang the baila.
The others joined in the vocal harmonies. This was the time when Herb
Alpert’s Tijuana sound was the rage and there was healthy competition
from Gabo and the Breakaways, Jetliners, Sam the Man and the Spitfires.
Now in Sydney, Helen and Ronnie work regularly with their band Smooth
Velvet which comprises Helen, Ronnie their daughter Carina - vocals and
co-opted guitarist Roger Menezes, son of the late Miki Menezes. On the
other hand, if a nine-piece band is required then Roger Menezes co-opts
Helen and Ronnie to play with him in his and wife Cheryl’s band Stay
Tuned.
“When we first came to Australia, Ronnie and I worked regularly
together with our two daughters Carina and Diana as a four piece. Once
the girls graduated from university and started their own careers they
had no time for music. So we functioned as a two piece and when
necessary joined Roger and Cheryl and their band Stay Tuned. A few years
ago Carina joined us as our female vocalist and we now work frequently.”
 Your comments on our music scene?
“From what I heard, I was impressed. But the musicians must remember
music is not only about the next gig you are going to play but more
about improving your knowledge and technical ability. I teach children,
I like that.
Their minds are fresh and I want to pass on my knowledge to the next
generation.” Ronnie Lucas who was silent all the while his wife Helen
held the floor said, “I’m like a good bottle of wine, improving as the
years go by! I enjoy singing. It was Papa Menezes who got me on the
stage. I started by playing the drums, then played the bass and the sax
but now I’ve stayed as a singer and I help Helen in all the music work.
I hope we could come again for a gig - we’d enjoy that!”
Gig Update
 Metal unleashed!
Rumour has it that Sri Lankan drummer Tyronne Silva of German death
metal outfit ORTH will be giving metal heads a dose of pumping power
today at Clancy’s. Hot metal bands to check out on stage encompass Old
Castles Massacre who are back with some ripping raw rage to offer a
freaking twist to their normal sound. Added to that, Chathuranga and
Funeral in Heaven (FIH) will offer their gore with Sohan and Fallen
Grace going gracefully metal with their ‘Preach Me Dark’ kind of lore.
The Paranoid Earthling types will also make a melodically metal
appearance bringing the randy Kandy spirit. Plus, the nail in the coffin
is the next mayhem band in town called Legion consisting of Rogger
Kenneth of FIH fame and Dimmu Fernando who have joined forces to dish
out a new thrashing tone. Check it now before it’s too late! |
